Plasma therapy saves life of hyperacute liver failure patient at Fortis Greater Noida

- Only 1% patients develop such severity.
- Normally liver transplant is the only option in patients with acute liver failure.
 
Greater Noida: Showcasing exceptional medical acumen, the Team of Doctors at the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Sciences at Fortis Greater Noida averted the need for a liver transplant in a 29-year-old patient suffering from hyperacute liver failure, by treating him through plasma therapy.

The patient, a resident of Greater Noida, came to the hospital with complaints of fever and jaundice and even failed to communicate properly due to swelling in his brain (cerebral edema).
The 29-year-old patient suffered from hepatitis A and required immediate ICU care. Dr. Apurv Pande, Consultant, Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary sciences, Fortis Greater Noida said, "This is a rare, reported condition happens in only 1% of cases where the patients slip into jaundice and develops other complications such as swelling in the brain.
In most cases, the patient with timely medical attention recovers in a few days. Since the patient was very young and transplant would have required time to arrange a donor, we decided to give the patient plasmapheresis at the intensive care unit for cerebral Edema (brain swelling) and liver support.

“Plasmapheresis is a procedure where the blood is removed from the patient and the cellular components RBC, WBC, and platelets are separated from the plasma in the machine. The plasma is discarded, and fresh plasma and albumin are mixed along with the cellular components and returned to the body”, said the doctors.

During monsoon, cases of stomach flu and hepatitis infections increase due to an uptick in consumption of contaminated food and water and people must avoid the intake of stale food or roadside food, which can be unhygienic. Even if water is being processed with water purifiers, boiling it before consumption will add another layer of safety from such a severe infection. The doctors also emphasised the need to identify the early symptoms of hepatitis to prevent advanced conditions like liver failure. In some cases, some of the early symptoms of hepatitis may include lethargy, muscle aches, and fever, while in the second stage, patients may develop jaundice.

Mr. Pramit Mishra, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Greater Noida, said, "In cases of hyperacute liver failure, patients can lose their lives if the right treatment is not provided. Other than the liver transplant, plasmapheresis has proved beneficial in saving lives. This kind of treatment requires management at specialised centres, and Fortis Hospital Greater Noida has the adequate medical infrastructure along with a team qualified doctors which is critical in saving lives.”