Acute Liver Failure

Acute liver failure is an uncommon syndrome in which hepatic encephalopathy, characterised by mental changes progressing from confusion to stupor and coma, results from a sudden severe impairment of hepatic function. Any cause of liver damage can produce acute liver failure. Acute viral hepatitis is the most common cause world-wide; paracetamol toxicity is the most frequent cause on UK. Hepatic encephalopathy is the cardinal manifestation of acute liver failure, but in early this can be mild. A patient with acute hepatic damage should be observed in a high –dependency or intensive care. Liver transplantation is an increasingly important treatment option for acute liver failure.