Efficacy and Safety of the Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device (ELAD) in Acute on Chronic Hepatitis

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of the use of ELAD in patients with diagnosed Acute On Chronic Hepatitis, including Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age \>/= 18\</= 67 years; AND
* Acute decompensation of chronic liver disease over the preceding 30 days; AND
* MELD score between 18 and 35, inclusive; AND
* Subject or designated representative must provide Informed Consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Platelets \<50,000mm at baseline; OR
* Evidence of chronic renal failure as defined by a serum creatinine \>/= 2.5mg/dL as measured during the 1-6 month period prior to study entry. (Subject is not excluded with a creatinine \>2.5 mg/dL if deemed to be type-1 hepato-renal syndrome); OR
* Contraindication to renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis or hemofiltration); OR
* International Normalization Ratio (INR) \> 3.5; OR
* Septic shock as defined by a positive blood culture and two or more of the following:

  * Systolic blood pressure \<90mmHg OR mean arterial pressure \<60mmHg;
  * Tachypnea \> 20 breaths per minute OR a PaCO2\<32 mmHg;
  * White blood cell count \< 4000 cell/mm3 OR \> 12000 cell/mm3 (\<4 x 10(9) or \>12 x 10(9) cells/L).
* Evidence of major hemorrhage as indicated by:

  * requiring \>/= 4 units packed red blood cells within a 48 hour period prior to Screening, OR
  * hemodynamic instability (sustained pulse \> 120 beats/min AND systolic blood pressure \< 100 mmHg over one hour)

Subjects with a recent history of gastrointestinal hemorrhage who have been successfully treated and remain hemodynamically stable for a period of 48 hours will then be eligible for the study if the investigator determines the subject to be at low risk for rebleeding; OR

* Evidence (by physical exam, history or lab evaluation) of significant concomitant disease including chronic congestive heart failure, vascular disease, emphysema, AIDS, hepatitis due to herpes virus, Wilson's disease, or Budd-Chiari syndrome; OR
* Known history of hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria and/or portal vein thrombosis; OR
* Evidence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis with uncontrolled infection; OR
* Evidence of brain death as determined by blood flow studies positive for herniation AND/OR absence of pupillary reflex; OR
* Systolic blood pressure \<85 mmHg OR MAP \<50mmHg at baseline; OR
* Requirement for escalating doses of vasopressor support OR of an alpha-adrenergic agent for one hour or longer AND evidence of hemodynamic instability; OR
* Subject at maximum vasopressor dose at Screen; OR
* Clinical or radiographic evidence of a new stroke or intracerebral bleeding; OR
* Seizures uncontrolled by medication; OR
* Acute myocardial infarction based on clinical and/or electrocardiographic evidence; OR
* Lung disease defined by a PaO2\<60mmHg on room air, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or a history of severe COPD or interstitial lung disease; OR
* Pregnancy as determined by beta-HCG results or lactation; OR
* Participation in another investigational drug, biologic, or device study within 1 month of enrollment. Subjects enrolled in an observational study will be eligible for this trial.
* Previous liver transplant.
* Previous participation in a clinical trial involving ELAD.