Acute Liver Failure Topics l l l Definitions
- Slides: 47
Acute Liver Failure
Topics l l l Definitions of failure and classification Aetiology- Acute versus acute on chronic Basic diagnostic workup Liver biopsy in the context ACLF-Ethical dilemma- HDU admission Treatment of complication l l l l Hepatic encephalopathy Renal failure GI bleed Infection Coagulopathy Aetiology specific treatment Organ support Liaison with Transplant centre
The mortality rate for acute liver failure ranges between 56% and 80%
Abnormal LFT is NOT ALF l Dear Doctor l Patient’s bilirubin is 600 and has liver failure- kindly urgently see l Family was told transplant may be necessary
Formal diagnosis of acute liver failure l An increase in PT by 4 -6 seconds (INR>1. 5) l And the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). l In a patient without pre-existing cirrhosis and with an illness of less than six months duration.
l UK incidence of cirrhosis 17 per 100, 000 l Prevalence of cirrhosis is 76 per 100, 000 l ALF incidence is 1 -6 per million per year
a. CLF l This entity is quite common- background of cirrhosis. Innocent precipitating event culminates in MOF l Events Toxins (alcohol!) l Vascular (hypotension- GI bleed, dehydration, Portal vein thrombosis) l Infection (SBP) l HCC l
ACLF-Ethical dilemma- HDU admission
For patients with a. CLF l Young age l First presentation l Reversible pathology- sepsis, GI bleeding or severe hepatitis l A trip to ITU is a life changing experience to some ‘alcoholics’
Few definitions l Hyperacutel Acute - >7 days <21 days l Subacutel FHF- <7 days >21 days <6 months not used
Diagnostics: l Good history- difficult if HE
Initial Laboratory Analysis- general l Prothrombin Time/INR Blood Chemistry Sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, GGT, total bilirubin, albumin, Creatinine, urea Glucose l l l l Arterial blood gas Arterial lactate Full blood count Blood type and screen Ammonia (arterial if possible) HIV status Amylase and lipase
Diagnostics- specific Paracetamol (acetaminophen) level l Toxicology screen l Viral hepatitis serologies l Anti-HAV Ig. M, HBSAg, anti-HBc Ig. M, anti-HEV, anti-HCV CMV EBV VZ/HZ Ceruloplasmin level Pregnancy test Autoimmune markers- ANA, ASMA, Immunoglobulin levels l Doppler US- ischaemic vs thrombosis l l l
Liver biopsy l Importance of early biopsy- severity and aetiology l Particularly useful in Hep B, AIH, Alcoholic hepatitis, differentiate between ALF and a. CLF l Transjugular route
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l Urgent OLT is the only life saving therapy l The main role of intensive care therapy is multi-organ support
All Liver transplants l CLD – 60% l Malignancy- 10% l ALF- 10% ( Paracetamol) l Cholestasis - 10 -20%
Paracetamol Overdose Phase I – 0 -24 h l Anorexia, nausea and vomiting, malaise l LFT derrangement at 12 h l Phase II – 18 -72 h l RUQ pain l LFT derrangment l Phase III – 72 -96 h l Centrilobar necrosis l Liver failure l Phase IV – 4 d-3 wk l Recovery, transplant or death l No chronic state l
When to pick up the phone l D 2 l l l D 3 l l p. H <7. 3 INR>3 Cr >200 Hypoglycaemia HE Cr>200 INR >4. 5 D 4 l l l Any rise in INR Cr >250 HE
Definition: HRS l ARF in a patient l CLD, severe alcoholic hepatitis or ALF from any cause l End-stage of reduction in renal perfusion induced by increasingly severe hepatic injury.
1. Sinusoidal portal hypertension, in the presence of severe hepatic decompensation 2. Leads to splanchnic and systemic vasodilatation-role of NO 3. Decreased effective arterial blood volume 4. Activation of RAS, and vasopressin aimed at restoring arterial filling pressure. 5. Renal vasoconstriction increases counterbalanced by the intrarenal prostaglandins. 6. When this balance is lost renal hemodynamics worsens, and hepatorenal syndrome develops
l Terlipressin l NSBB
HRS Major criteria l l l Chronic or acute hepatic disease and liver failure with portal hypertension Serum creatinine level >133 micromoles/L Absence of shock, ongoing bacterial infection, recent use of nephrotoxic drugs, excessive fluid or blood loss No sustained improvement in renal function after volume expansion with 1. 5 L isotonic saline solution No Proteinuria (Protein<500 mg/day) and no ultrasonographic evidence of renal tract or parenchymal disease Minor criteria l l l Urine volume <500 m. L/day Urine sodium <10 m. Eq/L Urine osmolality greater than plasma osmolality Urine red blood cell count <50 per high-power field Serum sodium <130 m. Eq/L
Classification of HRS l Type I is defined by a rise in creatinine level to over 221 micromoles/L in less than 2 weeks l l Median survival of 2 weeks Type II is defined as less severe renal insufficiency; it is principally characterized by ascites that is resistant to diuretics. l Median survival of 3 -6 months.
Vasoactive Medical treatment l Terlipressin bolus(0. 5 mg/4 h)-increase every 3 days if no response to 1 -2 mg/4 h l Given until creatinine normalizes or for 15 days l Albumin 1 g/kg on day 1( one bag of HAS contains 20 grams) l 20 -60 g/d thereafter
Step by step guide : l l l l Normal renal us Normal urine dipsix – no RBC cast No nephrotoxic drugs Fluid challenge Spot Na and serum Na Serum and urine osmolality Urine output PRERENA L HRS ATN Spot Na <10 >30 Urine sediment Nil Positive Fluid challenge Responds Nil
The stages of HE- West Haven criteria: Stage 0. Lack of detectable changes in personality or behaviour. Asterixis absent. Stage 1. Trivial lack of awareness. Shortened attention span. Impaired addition or subtraction. Hypersomnia, insomnia, or inversion of sleep pattern. Euphoria or depression. Asterixis can be detected. Stage 2. Lethargy or apathy. Disorientation. Inappropriate behaviour. Slurred speech. Obvious asterixis. Stage 3. Gross disorientation. Bizarre behaviour. Semistupor to stupor. Asterixis generally absent. Stage 4. Coma.
HE- Four compatible theories l Cerebral vasomotor dysfunction l Oedema secondary to ammonia toxicity l Inflammation due to SIRS l putative benzodiazepine-like molecules
The pathophysiology of HE A large body of work points at ammonia as a key factor in the pathogenesis of HE. l Portal ammonia is derived from both the urease activity of colonic bacteria and the deamidation of glutamine in the small bowel. l The intact liver clears almost all of the portal vein ammonia, converting it into glutamine and preventing entry into the systemic circulation. l Ammonia- astrocyte swelling in brain l
Patients with grade II HE should be managed in a HDU environment. l Grades III and IV HE requires definitive airway protection and appropriate monitoring. l Grade IV HE is strongly associated with elevated levels of serum ammonia, a high incidence of raised intracranial pressure and the development of uncal herniation. l
GCS –HE correlation l Grade 1 - GCS 14 -15 l Grade 2 - GCS 11 -13 - HDU l Grade 3 - GCS 8 -11 (Stupor or precoma) l Grade 4 - GCS<8 (Coma)
l In acute and chronic liver disease, increased arterial levels of ammonia are commonly seen. l However, correlation of blood levels with mental state in cirrhosis is inaccurate.
Lactulose is a first-line pharmacological treatment of HE. Lactulose – reaches colon, where bacteria will metabolize the lactulose to acetic acid and lactic acid. l This lowers the colonic p. H l formation of the non-absorbable NH 4+ from NH 3, l Other effects like catharsis also contribute to the clinical effectiveness of lactulose. l
Lactulose l For acute encephalopathy, lactulose (ingested or via nasogastric tube), 45 ml p. o. , Is followed by dosing every hour until evacuation occurs. l Target -three soft bowel movements per day l l If response to disachharide is poor- add antibiotic (metronidazole or rifaximine after 48 Hrs) to reduce enteric bacterial mass.
If patient is refusing oral lactulose prescribe phosphate enemas TDS! An excessively sweet taste, flatulence, and abdominal cramping are the most frequent subjective complaints with this drug.
The coagulopathy of liver disease l l l Failure to produce clotting factors II, V, VII and IX Failure of the diseased liver to clear activated clotting factors. Degree of hypersplenism and thrombocytopaenia often adds to the coagulopathy, especially if disseminated intravascular coagulation (dic) also co-exists. The degree of coagulopathy is a measure of severity of liver disease and of patient prognosis. Routine correction of coaguloapthy is therefore NOT indicated unless active bleeding or planned interventions require it
Sepsis l l l Infection may be the initiating event of liver failure, Intercurrent sepsis is also a common problem. Impaired immune function, in part secondary to reduced complement factor production and Impaired neutrophil, leukocyte and monocyte function, can result in delayed presentation of clinical signs of infection. The interventions required for diagnosis and management of liver disease also increase patient vulnerability to invasive infection.
Role of prophylactic antibiotic l Only patients who have an episode of gastrointestinal bleeding l or an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) have been shown to have a significant outcome benefit from prophylactic antibiotics.
In presence of sepsis l Choice of antibiotic should be guided by local microbiological surveillance. l The high incidence of mycoses - low threshold for antifungal. l Regular microbiological surveillance
Role of NAC Efficacy of NAC is well established in PCM induced ALF l Non PCM ALF – role of NAC is controversial l 175 patients of non PCM ALF received NAC l l l Transplant free survival at 3 weeks was 52% in NAC group compared to 30% in placebo arm ( only with coma grade of 1 -2) United States ALF study group- overall was 70% vs 66%
Artificial liver? ?
Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device (ELAD) l Hepatocyte bioreactor- hepatoma cells cultivated on the exterior surface of semipermeable hollow fibres l MARS (molecular adsorbent recirculating system)
ELAD l Both reduce the level of bilirubin, bile salt ammonia etc l However no of patients dying or requiring liver transplant did not improve Devices remain experimental and large-scale phase two and three trials are awaited
Summary • • • The mortality rate for acute liver failure ranges between 56% and 80% The main role of intensive care therapy is multi-organ support The commonest cause of acute liver failure in the western world is paracetamol toxicity Hepatic encephalopathy is no longer the main cause of death but it’s detection and management requires sophisticated cardiovascular and cerebral monitoring Hepatorenal failure is due to the complex interplay between splanchnic, renal and systemic circulatory responses to liver failure. Terlipressin has been shown to be of use in its treatment Novel hepatic replacement therapies are under development but definitive studies as to their efficacy are, as yet, unpublished.
- Cushings triad
- Hepatic coma stages
- Liver failure criteria
- Acute fatty liver of pregnancy
- Acute fatty liver of pregnancy
- Acg pregnancy
- Ascites veins
- Hepatic encephalopathy treatment guidelines
- Urinalysis
- Acute vs chronic heart failure
- Acute brain failure
- Failure to capture vs failure to sense
- Fracture theory
- Failure to capture vs failure to sense ecg
- Portal hypertension symptoms
- Pathophysiology of jaundice
- Function of liver physiology
- Dr. mark vanderpump
- Stigmata of chronic liver disease
- Perdida de polaridad celular
- Location of pancrease
- Liver
- Boundaries of bare area of liver
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Hepatic blood
- Liver cancer
- Brisbane 2000 classification
- Regenerative nodules of liver
- Gland histology
- Bare area of liver
- Toronto liver centre
- Greg leos
- Space of disse
- Space of disse histology
- Portal triad orientation
- Hilus lienis
- Liver blood supply
- Liver jaundice
- Fasciola hepatica class
- Chronic liver stigmata
- Hepatochirrosis
- Normal size of liver
- Elisabetta bugianesi
- Portosystemic shunt
- Role of liver in digestion
- Thyroxine binding prealbumin
- Identify the organ
- Fnh liver