5 (3.1), whereas its median time was 6.8 hours (range: 2.4-10.5; PP population). Overall, patients randomized to the MARS arm received extracorporeal therapy during a median (range) period of 42.4 hours (2.4-83.1; PP population) representing 6.3% of the 28-day study period (16.5% of the first 21-day study period). The main cause of death was multiorgan failure (51.3%), followed by uncontrolled bacterial infection (25%) and Cetuximab price uncontrolled bleeding (14.5%). There were no differences between groups regarding the cause of death. There were no differences between the SMT+MARS and the SMT groups in the 28-day transplant-free survival (Fig. 2)

either in the ITT population (n = 179 patients) (60.7% versus 58.9% P = 0.79), or in the PP population (n = 156 patients) (60% versus 59. 2%; P = 0.88). Similarly, there were no differences

regarding 90-day transplant-free survival (ITT population: 46.1% versus 42.2%; P = 0.71 PP population: 44.7% versus 43.7%; P = 0.97). Three selleck patients in each group received liver transplantation in the ITT population (3.4%), while only one patient belonging to the MARS group (1.4%) was transplanted in the PP population. Following the study protocol, subgroup analyses were performed according to the severity of liver disease as defined by a MELD score greater than 20, HRS at admission, severe HE at admission, or progressive hyperbilirubinemia with a bilirubin level greater than 20 mg/dL. There were no differences in 28-day transplant-free survival in any of the subgroups either in the ITT or in the PP population (Table 2). Taking into account the relative imbalance in some baseline

variables (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis as a triggering event and MELD score) between the two study arms in the PP population, an exploratory analysis of predictors of mortality was performed. In contrast to surviving patients, those who died had SBP more frequently (8 [8.6%] versus 10 [15.9%]; P = 0.1) and higher MELD scores (22.7 [8.8] versus 28.3 [8.6] points; P < 0.001) at baseline. A logistic regression model including these two potential confounders was learn more then performed, considering the 28-day mortality as the dependent variable and assigned therapy (MARS versus SMT), MELD score higher than 20 points, and SBP at baseline as independent variables. According to this adjusted estimation, MARS therapy was not associated with a significant reduction in the risk of 28-day mortality (OR: 0.87 95% CI 0.44-1.72; P = 0.694). Univariate analyses identified HE equal or higher than grade II at admission, MELD score, variceal bleeding, need of mechanical ventilation, HRS at admission, the increase in serum creatinine at day 4 and the increase in serum bilirubin at day 4 as predictors of death. However, only baseline MELD score, HE at admission, and the increase in serum bilirubin at day 4 remained as independent predictors of 28-day mortality (Table 3).