[SPAD--new possibilities?].

UNLABELLED: The number of patients admitted to toxicological units due to acute liver failure (ALF) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (AoChLF) has been increasing in recent years. Various methods of extracorporeal liver support have been described in this paper, with particular emphasis on modified single pass albumin dialysis (SPAD).

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Single pass albumin dialysis (SPAD) is a promising method of extracorporeal liver support. 2. Due to widespread availability of continuous renal replacement therapy equipment it can be performed in most units providing intensive care. 3. No additional costs due to purchase of equipment or training of personnel are necessary to perform SPAD. 4. Further studies are necessary to establish optimal concentration of human albumin in dialysate and flow rates of blood and dialysate during the procedure. 5. Development of biocompatible replacement of human albumin would promote more frequent use of SPAD.