Clinical Significance of Alpha-Fetoprotein Levels in Artificial Liver Therapy for Liver Failure

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the predictive value and clinical significance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in the prognosis of patients with liver failure treated with artificial liver plasma exchange (PE). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 96 liver failure patients. All patients underwent artificial liver plasma exchange therapy in addition to internal medicine treatments. Based on AFP test results, patients were divided into a low-AFP group (AFP < 100 ng/mL, n = 32), a medium-AFP group (100 ≤ AFP < 200 ng/mL, n = 32), and a high-AFP group (AFP ≥ 200 ng/mL, n = 32). Serum AFP levels were measured before artificial liver therapy (2nd day of admission), and on the 1st, 10th, and 20th day after therapy, as well as the final day (before discharge or end of life), to observe their variations. Results: Among the 96 patients, there were 4 cases (4.2%) of acute liver failure (ALF), 7 cases (7.3%) of subacute liver failure (SALF), 57 cases (59.4%) of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), and 28 cases (29.2%) of chronic liver failure (CLF), with an overall survival rate of 82.3% (79/96). The survival rate in the AFP < 100 ng/mL group was lower than in the other two groups, and the survival rate increased progressively with rising AFP levels (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum AFP levels are closely related to the efficacy of artificial liver plasma exchange therapy in liver failure patients. Monitoring the dynamic changes in AFP levels can help assess disease progression.