Acute Liver Failure

Abstract

Acute liver failure is a sudden decline in liver function with jaundice, coagulopathy (INR ≥ 1.5) and hepatic encephalopathy in patients with no history of liver disease and it emerges in less than 26 weeks. The interval between the occurrence of yellow symptoms and hepatic encephalopathy of less than 7 days is hyperacute, 8-28 days is called acute, and more than 28 days but less than 26 weeks is called subacute. If the interval is more than 6 months, it is called chronic liver failure. The etiology of most cases is due to the use of acetaminophen. The treatment of ALF should be performed in the ICU to minimize the risk of infection, cerebral edema, bleeding, respiratory failure, and other organ function disorders. The prognosis of ALF depends on the degree of encephalopathy, prolongation of prothrombin time, serum bilirubin level, and kidney function.