Acute liver failure

Acute liver failure is a complex multisystemic illness that evolves quickly after a catastrophic insult to the liver leading to the development of encephalopathy. The underlying aetiology and the pace of progression strongly influence the clinical course. The commonest causes are paracetamol, idiosy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Postgraduate medical journal 2005-03, Vol.81 (953), p.148-154
Main Author: O’Grady, J G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alcohol
Analgesics
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy
Drug overdose
Drugs
encephalopathy
Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen
General aspects
Hemodialysis
Hepatitis
Humans
Infections
Liver
liver failure
Liver Failure, Acute - diagnosis
Liver Failure, Acute - etiology
Liver Failure, Acute - therapy
Liver Transplantation
Liver, Artificial
Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas
Medical prognosis
Medical sciences
Mortality
Other diseases. Semiology
Prognosis
Review
Transplants & implants
Ultrasonic imaging
Viral infections
Viruses
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Description
Summary:Acute liver failure is a complex multisystemic illness that evolves quickly after a catastrophic insult to the liver leading to the development of encephalopathy. The underlying aetiology and the pace of progression strongly influence the clinical course. The commonest causes are paracetamol, idiosyncratic drug reactions, hepatitis B, and seronegative hepatitis. The optimal care is multidisciplinary and up to half of the cases receive liver transplants, with survival rates around 75%–90%. Artificial liver support devices remain unproven in efficacy in acute liver failure.
ISSN:0032-5473
1469-0756
DOI:10.1136/pgmj.2004.026005