Journal Article

Acute liver failure

Dhawan, Anil, Auzinger, Georg, Wendon, Julia, Bernal, William

2010

Overview

Acute liver failure is a rare disorder with high mortality and resource cost. In the developing world, viral causes predominate, with hepatitis E infection recognised as a common cause in many countries. In the USA and much of western Europe, the incidence of virally induced disease has declined substantially in the past few years, with most cases now arising from drug-induced liver injury, often from paracetamol. However, a large proportion of cases are of unknown origin. Acute liver failure can be associated with rapidly progressive multiorgan failure and devastating complications; however, outcomes have been improved by use of emergency liver transplantation. An evidence base for practice is emerging for supportive care, and a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder, especially in relation to hepatic encephalopathy, will probably soon lead to further improvements in survival rates.

• Publisher: Elsevier Ltd,Elsevier,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Acetaminophen - adverse effects / Ammonia - metabolism / Analgesics, Non-Narcotic - adverse effects / Biological and medical sciences / Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - epidemiology / Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - etiology / Drug use / Emergency Treatment - methods / Europe - epidemiology / Food contamination & poisoning / Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen / General aspects / Global Health / Hepatic encephalopathy / Hepatic Encephalopathy - epidemiology / Hepatic Encephalopathy - etiology / Hepatitis, Viral, Human - complications / Hepatocytes - transplantation / Humans / Illnesses / Infections / Internal Medicine / Liver / Liver cirrhosis / Liver Failure, Acute - chemically induced / Liver Failure, Acute - classification / Liver Failure, Acute - epidemiology / Liver Failure, Acute - etiology / Liver Failure, Acute - mortality / Liver Failure, Acute - physiopathology / Liver Failure, Acute - surgery / Liver Failure, Acute - virology / Liver Transplantation / Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas / Medical sciences / Mortality / Other diseases. Semiology / Pathogenesis / Patient Selection / Prognosis / Severity of Illness Index / Substance abuse treatment / Survival / Survival Rate / Time Factors / Tropical diseases / Viral infections / Womens health