From the earliest reports of extracorporeal support in medicine to the seemingly far-fetched suspended animation of science fiction, the human species has sought ways to perpetuate itself beyond current limitations. With recent forays into the science of cloning, some worry that humans have reached a state of hubris and are attempting to defy the most fundamental of constructs.
Yet, we push on creating more refined ways to support then replace failing organ function. In some cases the failing organ is replaced by a newer one through transplantation. In other cases extracorporeal therapies support or replace organ function on a temporary basis until recovery or transplantation. For some, the view of modern medicine is to create bio-artificial replacements for all vital functions that could serve in situ in the place of organic tissue.
In this issue of Organogenesis, authors demonstrating expertise in the field describe artificial support for major organ systems. For some therapies the article serves as a review of the state of the art that is available universally, such as renal replacement therapy. Other articles deal with more experimental therapies that are on the verge of important contributions to medicine, such as the artificial endothelium and artificial lung. As such, this collection is meant to serve as an update for both clinicians and researchers in the field of extracorporeal therapies and to help guide those working to eradicate current limitations.
Vanderbilt University School Of Medicine Joseph A. Carcillo, M.D.
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh