title: Hepatic dysfunction.
abstract: This article reviews the common pathophysiology that constitutes hepatic dysfunction, regardless of the inciting cause. The systemic consequences of liver failure and the impact of this condition on other organ systems are highlighted. The diagnostic tests available for determining the cause and extent of liver dysfunction are outlined, treatment strategies aimed at supporting hepatic health and recovery are discussed, and prognosis is briefly covered. The article emphasizes the fact that because of the central role of the liver in maintaining normal systemic homeostasis, hepatic dysfunction cannot be effectively addressed as an isolated entity.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. vetmedguy@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kelly W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: McCord
authors.forename: Craig B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D013045:Species Specificity; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary