Critical Care Management in Patients with Acute Liver Failure

Publication date: Available online 23 January 2020Source: Best Practice & Research Clinical AnaesthesiologyAuthor(s): Nadja Rifaie, Fuat H. SanerAbstractAcute liver failure is defined as severe hepatic dysfunction (marked transaminases elevation, detoxification disorder (jaundice and coagulopathy with INR> 1.5)Presence of hepatic encephalopathy and exclusion of underlying chronic liver disease and a secondary cause like sepsis or cardiogenic shock.Reasons for acute liver failure includes paracetamol -and warfarin toxicity, autoimmune – and viral (mainly hepatitis B and E) hepatitis, herbal and dietary supplements. Even in term of meticulous and careful review of the patient around 20-30% of the reasons remains unknown. In order of its rarity, randomized controlled trial could hardly be done. However, due to improved ICU treatment, the mortality, even in advanced stage of ALF decreased. However, in 5-10% of the cases an emergency transplantation is required. This justifies the treatment of this patient cohort in institutions who can provide this kind of treatment.
Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Anaesthesiology - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research