title: Intensive care unit management of patients with liver failure.
abstract: Acute liver failure (ALF) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) usually mandate management within an intensive care unit (ICU). Even though the conditions bear some similarities, precipitating causes, and systemic complications management practices differ. Although early identification of ALF and ACLF, improvements in ICU management, and the widespread availability of liver transplantation have improved mortality, optimal management practices have not been defined. This article summarizes current ICU management practices and identifies areas of management that require further study.
authors.affiliation: Section of Hepatology, Hume-Lee Transplant Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23222, USA.
authors.forename: M Shadab
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.affiliation: Section of Hepatology, Hume-Lee Transplant Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23222, USA. Electronic address: rstravit@vcu.edu.
authors.forename: R Todd
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Stravitz
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Acute liver failure; Cirrhosis; Hepatic encephalopathy; Portal hypertension; Sepsis