Lead multiorgan failure

Typically, the effects noted in methanol poisoning can be divided into three stages (1) narcosis or CNS depression similar to that observed in ethanol intoxication (2) a latent period, generally 10-15 h but can be prolonged if ethanol is coingested and (3) visual disturbances, metabolic acidosis and possibly multiorgan failure leading to death. 

The liver plays an essential role in metabolism, detoxification, and homeostasis. When the liver is injured, these functions are severely impaired and can lead to multiorgan failure and death. Orthotopic liver transplantation is the treatment of choice to restore normal liver functions, but organs are in short supply and patients who receive a transplant must take immunosuppressive medications and are at risk for infection, graft rejection, and disease recurrence. Liver support devices aim to replace the various liver functions to permit organ recovery or serve as abridge to transplantation when spontaneous organ recovery is not possible. A number of devices have been developed that have demonstrated some limited efficacy in clinical trials, but the ideal liver support device is still elusive. 

---