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EDIC academy > Acute Liver Failure > Flashcards

Acute Liver Failure Flashcards

1
Q

What is the weight of the liver ?

A

It makes up about 2.5% of the body weight

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2
Q

Function of the liver ?

A
  • Bile formation
  • Cholesterol & lipoprotein metabolism
  • Drug metabolism
  • Carbohydrate metabolism
  • Fatty acid metabolism
  • Ammonia metabolism
  • Storage; A,B12,D,glycogen, iron
  • Immunology
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3
Q

Characteristics of ALF?

A
  • INR > 1.5
  • Hepatic encephalopathy
  • Vasoplegic CVS collapse
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4
Q

Classification of liver failure?

A
  • Hyperacute
  • Acute
  • Subacute
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5
Q

What is hyperacute liver failure ?

A

This is where encephalopathy occurs within 7 days of jaundice

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6
Q

What is acute liver failure ?

A

This has an interval of between 8 - 28 days from jaundice to encephalopathy

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7
Q

What is subacute liver failure?

A

This is when encephalopathy occurs between 28 days - 12 weeks after the onset of Jaundice

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8
Q

What is the most common precipitant of infective ALF?

A

Hepatitis A,B & E

Risk of ALF is lowest with Hepatitis A

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9
Q

Transplant in secondary liver failure?

A

Not an option but is only indicated in patients with primary liver failure

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10
Q

Infective causes of ALF?

A
  • Hepatitis - A,B,E & seronegative hepatitis
  • HSV, CMV
  • Chicken-pox (Immuno-compromised)
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11
Q

Does hepatitis C cause ALF?

A

This is not a common cause

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12
Q

Hepatitis D infection in ALF?

A

Hepatitis D requires Hepatitis B co-infection

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13
Q

What are the causes of drug related ALF?

A
  • Acetaminophen
  • TB drugs
  • MDMA, Cocaine
  • Idiosyncratic reactions ( Anticonvulsants, Abx, NSAIDs)
  • Aspirin - In kids lead to Reye’s syndrome
  • Kava kava root supplement
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14
Q

What are the causes of toxin related ALF?

A
  • Carbon tetrachloride
  • Phosphorous
  • Amanita Phalloides
  • Alcohol
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15
Q

What are the possible vascular events causing ALF?

A
  • Ischaemia
  • Veno-occlusive disease
  • Budd-Chiari syndrome (Hepatic vein thrombosis)
  • Hyperthermic liver injury
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16
Q

Pregnancy related ALF?

A
  • Acute fatty liver of pregnancy
  • HELLP syndrome
  • Liver rupture
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17
Q

What is the full meaning of HELLP ?

A

Haemolysis
Elevated liver enzymes
Low platelets

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18
Q

Other rare causes of ALF?

A
  • Wilson’s disease
  • Auto-immune
  • Lymphoma
  • Carcinoma
  • Haemophagocytic syndrome
  • Trauma
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19
Q

Metabolism of Acetaminophen and pathways in overdose?

A

Cytochrome P450 converts 5% of Acetaminophen to N-Acetyl Pbenzoquinoneimine (NAPQI) - This is a metabolite

NAPQI detoxification by hepatic glutathione - Conjugation

Hepatic glutathione becomes depleted in overdose, hence NAPQI persists to cause cellular damage

NAC infusion restores the depleted hepatic glutathione . Very effective within 8-12 hrs

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20
Q

factors potentiating depletion of glutathione stores?

A
  • Anorexia
  • Malnutrition
  • Chronic alcohol use
  • Enzyme inducing drugs (Phenytoin & Carbemazepine)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • HIV
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21
Q

List some common enzyme inducers?

A
  • Phenytoin
  • Carbemazepine
  • Rifampicin
  • Phenobarbitone
  • Chronic alcohol use
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22
Q

What is the composition of the hepatic portal vein?

A
  • Superior mesenteric vein
  • Splenic vein

Also receives blood from;

  • Inferior mesenteric
  • Gastric veins
  • Cystic veins
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23
Q

Characteristics of the hepatic portal vein?

A
  • ## About 75% of liver blood supply
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24
Q

what is Wilson’s disease?

A
  • Inherited autosomal recessive
  • Defective coding of copper-transporting ATPase
  • Insufficient copper excretion in bile
  • Accumulation in brain, liver & cornea
  • Diagnosis by measuring serum copper & ceruloplasmin
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25
Q

What is the definition of acute decompensated liver failure ?

A
  • New onset ascitis
  • Hepatic encephalopathy
  • GI bleeding
  • Infection - CLD
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26
Q

Acute on chronic liver failure ?

A
  • Acute decompensation
  • Organ failure
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27
Q

What are the components of the CLIF-SOFA score ?

A
  • Liver
  • Kidney
  • Circulation
  • Lungs
  • Brain
  • Coagulation
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28
Q

What are the common organisms causing infection in chronic liver patients?

A
  • E.Coli
  • Staph Aureus
  • E. Faecalis
  • Strep pneumoniae
  • Pseudomonas
  • Staph epidermidis
  • MRSA
  • VRE
  • ESBL-Producing enterobacteria
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29
Q

List few familial liver diseases?

A
  • Alpha-1-Antitrypsin deficiency
  • Haemochromatosis
  • Wilson disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
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30
Q

List a few genetic metabolic diseases which could cause liver failure in children?

A
  • Reye’s syndrome
  • Gaucher disease
  • Niemann-pick disease
  • Tangier disease
  • Fabry disease
  • Hurler
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31
Q

Management of haemochromatosis ?

A

Venesection to prevent liver failure

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32
Q

Common presenting sigs with ALF?

A
  • Jaundice
  • Encephalopathy
  • Coagulopathy
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33
Q

Distinguishing between the acuity of liver failure?

A

Understanding the interval from the onset of jaundice to the development of encephalopathy

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34
Q

Underlying pathologies which could cause acute deterioration in patients with CLD?

A
  • Sepsis
  • Dehydration
  • Electrolyte abnormalities
  • Sedative drugs
  • Portal vein thrombosis
  • Liver tumor
  • GI bleed
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35
Q

Checking bilirubin to determine the extent of hemolysis’s contribution to jaundice ?

A
  • Conjugated
  • Unconjugated
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36
Q

Laboratory markers specific for the liver?

A
  • ALT
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37
Q

Interpretation of AST & ALT?

A

In alcohol related ALF, AST is usually twice that of ALT

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38
Q

Coagulation factors produced by the liver ?

A

I, II, V, VII, IX & X

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39
Q

Hematological changes in ALF?

A
  • Macrocytic Hypochromic erythrocytes
  • Pancytopenia
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40
Q

Chronic low-grade blood loss could be caused by?

A

Hypertensive gastropathy

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41
Q

Other investigations in ALF?

A
  • Plasma immunoglobulin
  • Hepatitis serology
  • CMV, EBV, HSV, VZ
  • Ceruloplasmin
  • Copper (Urine & serum) - Pre/post-penicillamine
  • Alpha-1-antitryptase
  • Iron studies
  • Procoagulant profile
  • AFP
42
Q

Significance of AFP in ALF?

A
  • Indication of liver cancer
43
Q

Picture of laboratory tests for leptospirosis ?

A
  • Elevated bilirubin
  • Marginally elevated AST & INR
  • Normal GGT
44
Q

Significance of pancytopenia ?

A

This will indicate bone marrow depression

45
Q

Components of hemolysis screen?

A
  • Reticulocyte
  • Haptoglobin
  • Blood film
46
Q

List assessment tools for ACLF?

A
  • Child-Pugh score
  • MELD ( Model End-stage Liver Disease)
47
Q

What is the benefit of MELD score ?

A
  • Developed to assess likely outcome in TIPS
  • Prognostication 3 months mortality
48
Q

Components of the CLIF-SOFA score ?

A

CCLLKC

  • Cerebral (HE)
  • Circulation (MAP)
  • Lungs ( FiO2/PaO2)
  • Liver (Bilirubin)
  • Kidney (Creatinine)
  • Coagulation (INR)
49
Q

What is the modified-Parsons smith scale of hepatic encephalopathy

A

See attached

50
Q

Hepatorenal failure?

A

Urinary sodium is usually low

51
Q

Toxins causing ALF and their antidotes?

A
  • Amanita Phalloides - Penicillin or Silibinin
  • Wilson’s disease - Penicillamine or Trientene
  • Budd-Chiari - Thrombolysis or TIPPS
52
Q

Management of past HBV infection in patients with ALF?

A
  • Lamivudine
  • Entecavir
  • Tenofovir
53
Q

A patient undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma presents with transaminitis (AST 500 IU/l), jaundice (bilirubin 450 µmol/l (26.3 mg/dl)), alkaline phosphatase 120 U/l (N<150 U/l), INR 2.1 and altered level of consciousness (GCS 10). Is this progressive lymphomatous infiltration? Give reasons.

A

This may be progressive lymphomatous disease but it is unlikely if the liver function tests have deteriorated rapidly.

54
Q

Outline other causes of this acute deterioration which require exclusion in this setting?

A

Veno-occlusive disease associated with chemotherapy; chemotherapy induced cardiomyopathy causing marked hepatic congestion; Budd–Chiari syndrome may be associated with procoagulant disorders, chemotherapy and/or dehydration

55
Q

Any hepatic disorder which may be triggered by the chemotherapy?

A

Reactivation of hepatitis B following systemic chemotherapy may be a possibility

56
Q

Management of decreased splanchnic inflow?

A

Terlipressin

57
Q

Indication for TIPPS

A
  • Re-bleeding (Refractory)
  • Portal pressures > 20mmHg
  • Child-Pugh B/C
58
Q

Prevention of re-bleeding in oesophageal varices ?

A
  • Non-selective beta-blocker
59
Q

You are asked to assess a 42-year-old man with major upper GI haemorrhage and haemodynamic compromise (HR 130/min, BP 90/40 mmHg, postural drop). He is known to have auto-immune liver disease and is drowsy. He has ascites and has recently become oliguric. The admitting team wishes to undertake an upper GI endoscopy – what is your advice?

A

Resuscitation prior to the endoscopy. He is likely to have oesophageal varices

60
Q

What pre-procedure measure would you consider appropriate in a patient with UGIB?

A
  • Central venous access/large bore cannulae/cross-match blood
  • Correction of coagulopathy with blood products and vitamin K
  • If drowsiness persists, he is at risk of aspiration, therefore tracheal intubation/ventilation prior to endoscopy likely to be pre-emptively required
  • Consider terlipressin/broad-spectrum antibiotics/anti-fungals after blood cultures/septic screen taken.
61
Q

Investigations used to diagnose sub-clinical encephalopathy?

A
  • EEG
  • Evoked potential
62
Q

Causes of acute encephalopathy ?

A
  • Infection.
  • Metabolic disturbances (electrolyte abnormalities, excessive diuretic therapy or fluid restriction, excessive paracentesis, uraemia, alkalosis, anaemia, hypoxaemia).
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances (haemorrhage, constipation, excessive protein load).
  • Hepatic abnormalities (acute liver necrosis, disease progression, portal vein thrombosis, ischaemia, hepatoma, spontaneous portosystemic shunting that may not be associated with liver disease, TIPS or surgical shunts).
  • Psychoactive drugs.
  • Medication non-compliance.
63
Q

Management of encephalopathy associated with CLD may involve

A

Resuscitative measures e.g. control of airway, support of circulation.

Diagnosis and treatment of the precipitant.

Treat infection and biochemical abnormalities.

Protein intake of 1–1.5 g protein/kg/day depending on level of encephalopathy (can be reduced to 0.5 g/kg/day transiently).
Vegetable protein is preferable to animal protein.

Lactulose/lactilol. The cathartic effect removes endogenous and exogenous ammonia-generating compounds from the bowel and maintains an acidic environment that retains ammonia within the bowel lumen.

Recent studies suggest benefit with rifaximin in preventing encephalopathy in chronic liver disease

The combination of rifaximin and lactulose may be of additional benefit in chronic liver disease
Branch chain amino acids are recommended for refractory HE

Neomycin may have an additive benefit but is not often used because of the risk of oto-and nephrotoxicity.

Zinc supplementation is recommended as zinc is a necessary substrate in the metabolism of ammonia to urea and many patients are zinc deficient.

There is no evidence to support the use of benzodiazepine antagonists.

Use of ammonia lowering agents such as L-ornithine and L-arginine have some role in chronic liver disease but had no beneficial effect on survival when studied in the context of ALF.

Extracorporeal therapies improve severe hepatic encephalopathy. Best data is available for albumin dialysis.

64
Q

what could cause porto systemic shunt in a patient with no liver dieases?

A

Portal vein thrombosis

65
Q

Mechanisms of cerebral oedema in ALF?

A
  • Vasogenic
  • Cytotoxic
66
Q

Cerebral oedema in CLD?

A

Not seen usually

67
Q

Intracranial pressure parameters indicative of poor prognosis?

A
  • ICP > 25mmHg
  • CPP < 50mmHg
68
Q

CPP and autoregulation in ALF?

A

Autoregulation is impaired in ALF

69
Q

Management of patient with grade III/IV encephalopathy ?

A
  • Tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation
  • Provide adequate sedation – propofol or a benzodiazepine and an opiate
  • Normal/high serum sodium with hypertonic saline if necessary
  • Prevent fever
  • Maintain normocapnia
  • Maintain in the head up position
  • Maintain normovolaemia.
  • Maintain normothermia
  • Extracorporeal therapies
70
Q

Management of increased ICP?

A

Mannitol bolus: 0.5–1.0 g/kg, normally using 20% (20 g/100 mls) mannitol. Serum osmolality should be monitored and should not be allowed to increase to above 320 mosmol/kg.

Hypertonic saline: slow infusion to maintain sodium levels of 145– 155 mmol/l.

Thiopentone (thiopental)

Hyperventilation

71
Q

CVS management in ALF?

A
  • Steroids 200-300mg/day if on Norad
72
Q

Unexplained hypoxia when patients with ALF sit up?

A

Hepatopulmonary syndrome due to intrapulmonary dilation and shunting.

Indicative or liver transplant

73
Q

Consequences of CLD?

A
  • Pulmonary HTN (Porto pulmonary HTN)
74
Q

What is terlipressin?

A

Splanchnic vasoconstrictor

75
Q

What is Octreotide?

A
  • Long-acting somatostatin analogue
  • Reduces gastric secretion
  • Reduces splanchnic blood flow
76
Q

Management of refractory variceal bleeding ?

A
  • Sengstaken-Blakemore tube
  • Only the gastric balloon is inflated
  • Oesophageal stents (Most effective)
77
Q

Risks associated with insertion of Sengstaken-Blakemore tube?

A
  • Oesophageal tear following balloon inflation
  • PTX / Surgical emphysema
78
Q

Diagnosis of hepatopulmonary syndrome?

A
  • Bubble echocardiography
  • Bubbles seen after 2-3 cardiac cycles
  • Indication for liver transplant
79
Q

What is The Clichy criteria for liver transplant ? Based on patients with ALF secondary to Hep B

A
  • There is encephalopathy (coma or confusion) and
  • Factor V level <20% (if aged <30) or
  • Factor V level <30% (if aged 30 or above)
80
Q

Disease-specific criteria for transplant?

A
  • Budd-Chiari syndrome - HE & RF
  • INR > 4.5 in a child
  • Acute Wilson’s disease with HE
81
Q

Management of Budd-Chiari syndrome in patients without HE & RF ?

Hepatic encephalopathy
Renal failure

A
  • Thrombolysis
  • TIPPS
82
Q

Significance of AFP?

A

Elevated in liver cancer

83
Q

Outcome for CLD patient undergoing elective liver transplant?`

A

The outcome is usually very good

84
Q

ALT:AST ratio if the same?

A

Usually indicates ischemic hepatitis due to CCF, ischemic necrosis & hepatitis

85
Q

When there is significantly raised WCC

A

Myeloproliferative disease should be investigated

86
Q

Differential diagnosis in ALF?

A
  • Shocked liver (Ischemic hepatitis)
  • Haematological malignancies
  • Drug toxicity
  • Viral hepatitis
87
Q

what are the specific therapies for unique causes of ALF?

A
  • Paracetamol OD - NAC
  • Pregnancy related ALF - Early delivery
  • Autoimmune hepatitis - Steroids
88
Q

What is vasoplegia syndrome?

A
  • Low SVR
  • Severe hypotension
  • Normal or elevated cardiac index
  • Hyperdynamic circulation
89
Q

Mechanism of vasoplegia ?

A
  • Activation of inducible NOS
  • Increased availability of endotoxins
  • Portal blood shunted past the liver to system
90
Q

Risk factors for ICH secondary to cerebral oedema?

A
  • Pts with rapid ALI which progress to HE
  • Hyper-acute & acute presentations
  • HE grade III/IV
  • High serum ammonia > 150
  • Young age < 35yo
  • Pts with infection / sepsis
  • Pts requiring vasopressor or RRT support
91
Q

What are the kings college criteria for liver transplant?

A

See attached image

92
Q

Contraindications for liver transplant?

A
  • Lymphoma
93
Q

What is hepatic encephalopathy ?

A

This is brain dysfunction caused by liver insufficiency and /or porto-systemic shunt (PSS)

94
Q

Classification of HE according to underlying disease?

A
  • Type (A) - ALF (Ass with cerebral herniation and ICH)
  • Type (B) - Porto-systemic bypass or shunt
  • Type (C) - Cirrhosis
95
Q

Management of raised ICP?

A
  • Head up
  • Normocapnia
  • IV Mannitol 0.5-1g/kg
  • Controlled hyperventilation
  • Hypertonic saline
  • Therapeutic hypothermia (32-33 for 8-14h)
  • Hypothermia for up to 5 days is acceptable
96
Q

Target parameters to limit raising ICP in ALF?

A
  • Below 20-25mmHg
  • CPP > 50mmHg
97
Q

what are the characteristics of an exudative fluid ?

A
  • Higher levels of protein
  • ## Filtration exceeds lymph flow
98
Q

What is the normal level of protein in pleural fluid?

A

about 1.5g/dL or 15g/L

99
Q

What is the criteria used to differentiate between exudate and transudate ?

A

Lights criteria

100
Q

What is the cause of transudative effusion?

A
  • Combination of increased hydrostatic pressures and decreased oncotic pressures
  • CCF
  • Cirrhosis / Ascitis
  • Hypoalbuminaemia / Nephrotic syndrome
101
Q

Characteristics of exudative effusion?

A
  • Increased capillary permeability
  • Pneumonia, cancer, PE, viral, TB
102
Q

Kings college criteria for liver transplant?

A

See attached

EDIC academy (19 decks)

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