title: Fulminant viral hepatitis.
abstract: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a condition wherein the previously healthy liver rapidly deteriorates, resulting in jaundice, encephalopathy, and coagulopathy. There are approximately 2000 cases per year of ALF in the United States. Viral causes (fulminant viral hepatitis [FVH]) are the predominant cause of ALF in developing countries. Given the ease of spread of viral hepatitis and the high morbidity and mortality associated with ALF, a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of FVH is required. In this review, the authors describe the viral causes of ALF and review the intensive care unit management of patients with FVH.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
authors.forename: Saumya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jayakumar
authors.forename: Raiyan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Constantine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Karvellas
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology; D011379:Prognosis; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines; D000111:Acetylcysteine
keywords: Acute liver failure; Cerebral edema; Fulminant viral hepatitis; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Liver transplantation