Does artificial liver treatment need to be done long-term?

Generally, whether artificial liver support needs to be performed long-term depends on the patient's condition. If the patient's condition is relatively mild, long-term treatment is not necessary; otherwise, long-term support may be required. The details are as follows:

1. Not Required

An artificial liver is a therapeutic method that supports liver function by temporarily replacing it when liver function is impaired or has failed. Artificial liver support is typically used to provide sufficient time for patients awaiting a suitable liver transplant or allowing the liver adequate time to recover. If the patient's condition is mild—such as in cases of short-term liver failure or acute hepatitis—a few weeks of artificial liver treatment may lead to recovery, so long-term therapy is not needed.

2. Required

The purpose of an artificial liver is to sustain life by simulating liver functions and helping the body remove toxins and waste from the blood. An artificial liver system usually consists of various devices and techniques, such as blood filtration, hemodialysis, and hemoperfusion, which assist in clearing metabolic waste and toxins from the bloodstream. For patients with chronic liver failure or long-standing liver disease, artificial liver support may be required over an extended period. These patients may depend on artificial liver therapy to sustain life and improve their quality of life while waiting for a liver transplant or undergoing other treatments.

It should be emphasized that artificial liver support is not a curative treatment for liver diseases; rather, it is a temporary supportive measure. In appropriate cases, liver transplantation is considered the definitive treatment option, offering long-term restoration of liver function.