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Fulminant, or acute, hepatic failure is defined as severe hepatocyte dysfunction resulting in rapid elevation of aminotransferases, encephalopathy, coagulopathy and multiorgan failure in an otherwise healthy individual without preexisting liver disease. Acute liver failure (ALF) has an incidence of 1–2/100,000 people in the United States or approximately 3,000–6,000 cases per year with nearly 30% of patients requiring a liver transplantation. ALF is fundamentally different and should not be confused with acute or chronic liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis, as the etiology of ALF is the most important determinant of transplant-free survival.
This chapter discusses the diagnosis, evaluation and management of fulminant hepatic failure. Patients can present with hypotension due to generalized systemic inflammatory response, coagulopathy, and encephalopathy with progression to coma and brain herniation. Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and laboratory findings. Critical care management should be performed for cardiovascular, pulmonary, and infectious complications and other comorbidities. Prognosis and treatment decisions can be based on Rumack-Matthew nomogram. Renal failure occurs in up to 50% of cases, even more frequently in acetaminophen toxicity. In most cases continuous renal replacement therapy is indicated. Intermittent hemodialysis should be avoided as some evidence suggests rapid fluid shifts lead to brain herniation. Patients should be transferred to a transplantation facility as soon as possible. If a transplantation center is not readily available, consider transfer to a center that utilizes molecular adsorbents recirculation system (MARS) or artificial extracorporeal liver support therapy.
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