title: Review article: the management of acute liver failure.
abstract: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a relatively uncommon but dramatic clinical syndrome with high mortality rates, in which a previously normal liver fails within days or weeks. Paracetamol overdose remains the major cause of ALF in the UK, while viral hepatitis is the commonest cause world-wide. Cerebral oedema is the leading cause of death in patients with ALF. Despite advances in intensive care and the development of new treatment modalities, ALF remains a condition of high mortality best managed in specialist centres. Orthotopic liver transplantation is the only new treatment modality that has made a significant impact in improving outcome. Bioartificial liver support systems and hepatocyte transplantation are new promising treatment options that may change the management of ALF in the future.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Medicine, The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Plevris
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schina
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001187:Artificial Organs; D006801:Humans; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation