Tuesday November 6, 2007
Intensive care of patients with acute liver failure


This month "Critical Care Medicine" has published a CME article:

Intensive care of patients with acute liver failure:
Recommendations of the U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study Group

This is a very concise review on the said topic dealing with all ICU aspects of Acute Liver Failure including

• Etiology-Specific Treatments like in acetaminophen overdose
• Hepatic Encephalopathy and Hyperammonemia
• Infection Prophylaxis and Surveillance
• Sedation and Analgesia
• Correction of the Bleeding Diathesis
• Assessment of Prognosis and Liver Transplant Listing Criteria
• Nutrition
• Seizure Prophylaxis and Surveillance
• Treatment of Circulatory Dysfunction
• Management of Cerebral edema
• Management of Intracranial Hypertension: Specific Recommendations
• Mechanical Ventilation
• Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT); Management of Fluids and Electrolytes
• MANAGEMENT OF ALF DURING AND AFTER OLT
• Intraoperative and Postoperative Monitoring

Its an important article to be aware of. Article is by subscription but reference can be found below.



Related video/lecture: Acute Liver Failure: The Critical Team Approach by Dr. Lorenzo Rossaro, Head of the Liver Transplant Program at UC Davis Med Center (this video requires real player)




References: click to get abstract/article

1. Intensive care of patients with acute liver failure: Recommendations of the U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study Group Critical Care Medicine. 35(11):2498-2508, November 2007.