THERAPIES
MOLECULAR ADSORBENT RECIRCULATING SYSTEM
HOW IT WORKS
MARS is comprised of a blood circuit, an albumin circuit, and a classic CRRT circuit.14
- MARS therapy removes unbound water-soluble or protein-bound toxins by dialyzing the patient’s blood against albumin-enriched dialysate across an albumin-impregnated, high-flux filter (MARSFLUX).13,20,21
- Utilization of the albumin-based MARS circuit in conjunction with the PRISMAFLEX device allows protein-bound molecules to be transferred from the patient’s blood to the protein in the dialysate.13,20,21
- The dialysate containing the removed toxins is subsequently purified by passage through two sorbent columns (activated charcoal and ion-exchange resin) and a secondary low-flux dialyzer before being recirculated.13
- This purification process allows for a constant supply of regenerated albumin dialysate to the MARSFLUX filter.13
BLOOD CIRCUIT
As non-water-soluble toxins diffuse across the MARSFLUX membrane, they are bound by the albumin in the dialysate. Removal of water-soluble toxins also occurs as a consequence of concentration gradients between the blood and the aqueous dialysate component.13
MARS ALBUMIN CIRCUIT
Protein-bound drugs and toxins are removed by the charcoal adsorber.13
DIALYSATE CIRCUIT
Water-soluble toxins are removed from albumin dialysate by CVVHDF.13,21
