Cholestasis

Cholestasis indicates impairment in bile formation, secretion or transport to the intestine. It is a manifestation of many disorders affecting the hepatocytes or the bile ducts. It presents with elevation in serum bile acid concentration, alkaline phosphatase levels with or without hyperbilirubinemia. Prolonged cholestasis results in liver cell injury, fibrosis and cirrhosis. The mechanism of Hepatocellular and ductular injury resulting in cholestasis are multiple. The consequences of cholestasis are in part related to retention of toxic substances such as bile salts in the hepatocytes and bile ducts. Other organs, such as the kidney, manifest dysfunction related to progressive cholestasis. Available medical therapies are not highly effective except in specific disorders. Supporting the patient during cholestasis with MARS, which has the capability to clear some of the toxic molecules accumulating in the blood and tissues, needs to be studied.