Transcript Liver failure

Liver failure
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Liver failure
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It’s the inability of the liver to perform its
normal synthetic and metabolic function as
part of normal physiology.
Liver failure is a life-threatening condition that
demands urgent medical care. Most often
liver failure occurs gradually and over many
years. However, a more rare condition known
as acute liver failure occurs rapidly (in as little
as 48 hours) and can be difficult to detect
initially.
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Liver
Failure
Acute
Liver Failure
Chronic
Liver Failure
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Acute Liver Failure
• Development
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of hepatic encephalopathy
(confusion, stupor and coma) and decreased
production of proteins (such as albumin and
blood clotting proteins) within four weeks of
the first symptoms (such as jaundice) of a
liver problem.
"Hyperacute" liver failure is said to be present
if this interval is 7 days or less.
"subacute" liver failure is said to be present if
the interval is 5-12 weeks.
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Chronic liver failure
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Usually occurs in the context of cirrhosis,
itself potentially the result of many possible
causes, such as excessive alcohol intake,
hepatitis B or C, autoimmune, hereditary
and metabolic causes (such as iron or
copper overload or non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease).
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Hepatic Encephalopathy
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A syndrome observed in some patients with
cirrhosis that’s marked by personality
changes, intellectual impairment, and a
depressed level of consciousness
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What causes liver failure?
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The most common causes of liver failure are:
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Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Long term, excessive alcohol consumption
Cirrhosis
Hemochromatosis
Malnutrition
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The causes of acute liver failure, however,
are often different. These include:
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Acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose - this is one of
the most common causes of acute liver failure
Viruses including hepatitis A, B, and C (especially
in children)
Reactions to certain prescription medications
Ingestion of poisonous wild mushrooms
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Symptoms
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The initial symptoms of liver failure are often
ones that can be due to any number or
conditions. Because of this, liver failure may
initially difficult to diagnose. Among these
early symptoms are:
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Nausea
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Diarrhea
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However, as liver failure progresses, the
symptoms become more serious, indicating
that urgent treatment is required. These
symptoms include:
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Jaundice
Bleeding easily
Swollen abdomen
Mental disorientation or confusion (known as
hepatic encephalopathy)
Sleepiness
Coma
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How is liver failure treated?
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If detected early enough, acute liver failure caused by an
overdose of acetaminophen can sometimes be treated and
its effects reversed.
Likewise, if a virus causes liver failure, supportive care can
be given at a hospital to treat the symptoms until the virus
runs its course. In these cases, the liver can then
sometimes recover on its own.
For liver failure that is the result of long-term deterioration,
the initial focus may be on saving whatever part of the liver
is still functioning. If this is not possible, the only way to
save a patient’s life is for him or her to receive a transplant.
Fortunately, liver transplants are a common procedure that
is often successful. Approximately 75 % of patients who
receive a liver transplant survive more than 10 years.
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