David Mulligan, M.D., chair, division of transplant surgery at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, multi-organ transplant surgeon and assistant professor of surgery at Mayo Medical School, explains the impact of the technology. Prior to offering liver dialysis, we've had very few treatment options available to help these people. This technology is a significant breakthrough and provides us with an effective new tool for the treatment of patients with liver disease or those suffering from drug overdose or poisoning. The liver dialysis unit is a compact, mobile, self-contained system about the size of a dishwasher and can be wheeled to a patient's bedside. The unit removes toxins while balancing blood chemistries through its ability to add specific electrolytes and glucose to the patient's blood.
Liver disease can cause a dangerous build-up of toxins in the liver.
About 27,000 people die each year from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.