Appraisal of intra-arterial infusion of prostaglandin E1 in patients undergoing major hepatic resection report of four cases

Prostaglandin E1 combined with plasma exchange for treatment of patients with severe hepatitis: an analysis of 33 cases

AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) combined with plasma exchange in patients with severe hepatitis.

METHODS: Sixty-two patients with severe hepatitis were randomly divided into treatment (n = 33) and control (n = 29) groups. In the treatment group, 33 patients with severe hepatitis (two with subacute severe hepatitis, and 31 with chronic severe hepatitis) received combined therapy with comprehensive internal medicine treatment which was the artificial liver support system and PGE1. In the control group, 29 patients (one with subacute severe hepatitis, and 28 with chronic severe hepatitis) were treated with comprehensive internal medicine and the artificial liver support system.

RESULTS: After treatment, serum total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, and PTA were significantly improved in the two groups. There were significant differences between the treatment and control group in concentration of TBIL and PTA (155.8 ± 138.2 µmol/L vs 296.4 ± 100.5 µmol/L; 62.6% ± 10.4% vs 42.9% ±11.4%; P < 0.01). The survival rate in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group (72.8% vs 48.3%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: PGE1 combined with plasma exchange is an effective method for treating severe hepatitis.