4: Acute liver disease and fulminant hepatic failure Flashcards
What is acute liver disease?
Rapid onset of liver dysfunction without prior liver disease
The liver has ___ potential.
regenerative
Which two blood vessels supply the liver?
Hepatic arteries
Hepatic portal vein
What percentage of blood is supplied to the liver by the hepatic portal vein?
70%
By which great vessel does deoxygenated blood leave the liver?
Inferior vena cava
By which vessel does bile leave the liver and gall bladder?
Bile duct
What are the cardinal features of acute liver disease?
Encephalopathy
Increased coagulation time
What are some symptoms of acute liver disease?
JAUNDICE!!!
Lethargy
Nausea
Anorexia
Pain
Itching
Arthralgia
What are some causes of acute liver disease?
Viruses (Hepatitis, EBV, CMV)
Drugs (ask about paracetamol)
Alcohol
Malignancy
Shock liver
Cholangitis
How is acute liver disease treated?
Rest (up to 3 months)
Fluids
Try to increase calories (not fat-rich foods)
How can itching associated with acute liver disease be treated?
Sodium bicarbonate bath
Bile salt sequestrants
Ursodeoxycholic acid
Which drugs can cause liver disease?
Antibiotics (co-amoxiclav, flucloxacillin, NSAIDs)
Paracetamol
What is fulminant liver failure?
Hepatic failure < 8 weeks after onset of symptoms
basically the same as acute liver failure, but really fast
Fulminant liver failure should be treated ___ and may result in a liver ___.
quickly
transplant
What are the most common causes of fulminant liver failure?
Paracetamol overdose
Viruses e.g Hepatitis B
