title: Diagnosis and management of fulminant hepatic failure.
abstract: Fulminant hepatic failure is defined as the development of hepatic encephalopathy within 8 weeks of the onset of illness. While there are many causes of FHF, viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B, remains the most common etiology. Several drugs and toxins can also lead to FHF, most notably acetaminophen. Even with improvements in ICU care, mortality remains very high for these patients. Conservative management focuses on invasive monitoring and the prevention and treatment of complications like cerebral edema, infection, renal failure, and coagulopathy. Only orthotopic liver transplantation has reduced mortality from 80% to 30% to 50%. Therefore, the goals of management and treatment now include determining which patients are appropriate for liver transplant and finding a donor in a timely fashion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Hospital at Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kirsh
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Layden
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Wiley
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001187:Artificial Organs; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000150:complications; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver; D011379:Prognosis; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000111:Acetylcysteine