[Medical aspects of the artificial liver].

Artificial liver support may be indicated in cases of fulminant toxic or drug-induced liver failure, in fulminant viral hepatitis, after surgical procedures such as extended liver resections or liver transplantation with primary graft failure, and in some cases of chronic endstage liver disease. Neither artificial nor biological liver support systems have shown any convincing results, whereas plasma exchange combined with intensive medication is suitable for temporary liver failure or for providing support until a donor organ for liver transplantation becomes available.