Acute liver failure Flashcards
What is acute liver failure?
Rapid onset of liver dysfunction without prior disease. Generally lasting less than 6 months.
What are the main functions of the liver?
Protein metabolism, Lipid metabolism Carbohydrate metabolism Imunological defence Bilirubin metabolism Hormone and drug metabolism Bile acid secretion Storage Protein synthesis
What are the true liver function tests?
Bilirubin, albumin and prothrombin. MOST important as they are prognostic markers
What are the liver ‘damage’ liver function tests?
GGT, AKP, ALT/AST and bilirubin
What percentage of patients with cirrhosis have normal LFTs?
17%
What are the features of acute liver failure?
1) Encephalopathy,
2) Coagulopathy (prolonged prothrmbin time)
3) Jaundice
What are the common symptoms of acute liver failure?
None! Jaundice Lethargy nausea Itchy Pain (capsule stretching) Abnormal LFTs Anorexia
What are the causes of acute liver failure?
1) Viral (Hep A-E, CMV, EBV and toxoplasmins)
2) Drugs (many)
3) Shock liver
4) Cholangitis
5) Alcohol
6) Malignancy
7) Chronic liver disease
8) Paracetamol
RARE: Budd Chiarri, AFLP, Cholestasis of pregnancy
What is Shock liver?
Inadequate perfusion of the liver. (Hypotention- check the vascular patency of the hepatic artery)
What is Budd Chiarri?
Occlusion of hepatic veins which drain the liver.
What is AFLP?
Acute fatty liver disease of pregnancy
When you ask a patient about paracetamol what else should you ask?
Preparations
OTC drugs which contain paracetamol.
Even 4g/day for 2 weeks can change liver function.
What are the directly toxic causes of liver failure?
Drugs, alcohol, virus and hypoperfusion (shock liver)
What are the immunologic causes of liver failure?
Primary Billary Cirrhosis
Autoimmune hepatitis
What are the nutritional causes of liver failure?
NASH, Malnutrition, refeeding syndrome.
What are the genetic causes of liver failure?
Wilsons disease and haemachromatosis (insidious onset and can present with HHC)
What are the investigations to consider in acute liver failure?
Bilirubin, Prothrombin, Albumin. LFTs Ultrasound including vascular Virology Immunological serology Rarely a liver biopsy.
When is a liver biopsy indicated?
Struggling to get a clear diagnosis or looking at the patients prognosis
Acute liver failure history?
Duration
Drugs (OTC, illicit, herbal and food supplements)
Alcohol, unusual hobbies, travel, sexual history.
What is the treatment for acute liver failure?
Supportive. Rest 3-6 months.
Fluids and NO alcohol.
Increase calories (high protein, low fat)
Observe for FHF
What is puritus and what is the cause?
Severe itching of the skin caused by increase in bilirubin- often post hepatic picture.
What is the treatment for puritus?
Sodium bicarbonate bath
Cholestyramine (prevents bile salt reabsorption)
Uresodeoxycholic acid (reduces cholesterol absorption)
What are the metabolic considerations in acute liver failure? WHat should people be eating?
Patients are in a hypermetabolic state and require increased nutritional requirements but are often not hungry.
35-40 calories/Kg/day
1.2-1.5g protein/kg/day.
Monitor K, PO4 and Mg for signs of refeeding syndrome.
Monitor blood glucose for hyper/hypoglycemia
Consider NG feeding in some patients
What are the features of a hepatic drug reaction?
Occurs about 6 weeks post exposure- the first effect may not have been noticed.
Often the liver is predisposed. Eg NASH.
Caused by any drug, many mechanisms and variation in LFT abnormalities.
Effects CP450 => free radiacl production and lipid peroxidation.
