Acute (Fulminant) Hepatic Failure

A review of the literature

The lecture duration is 44min.

0.75 CPD Points, 0.75 CEUs, 0.75 CME credits approval pending.
Accredited by CPDUK, CBRN and Provider Pending.

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Dean Karvellas
Professor of Critical Care Medicine and Gastroenterology/Hepatology at the University of Alberta, Canada
Lecture Summary

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare syndrome resulting from an acute insult to the liver in patients without known underlying chronic liver disease. It is characterized by loss of synthetic function in the form of jaundice and coagulopathy and the development of hepatic encephalopathy. Multiorgan-failure (MOF) eventually develops. Significant improvements in outcome have occurred over the last 50 years, resulting not only from incremental improvements in specialist critical care and a step-change following the introduction of transplantation for this indication but also better and more effective treatment started early at the site of the first presentation.

Target Audience

Critical Care Doctors
Experienced or advanced Critical Care Nurses

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, you should be able to:

  • Understand the definition of Acute Liver Failure
  • Review evidence for neuroprotective strategies
  • Review the potential benefits of extracorporeal support including continuous renal replacement therapy
  • Review challenges in prognostication and the potential role for novel biomarkers