Development of procedures for the treatment of acute liver failure

Czech version

Authors: E. Kieslichová ¹; M. Ročeň ¹; S. Fraňková ²
Authors‘ workplace: Klinika anesteziologie, resuscitace a intenzivní péče, IKEM, Praha ¹; Klinika hepatogastroenterologie, IKEM, Praha ²
Published in: Gastroent Hepatol 2013; 67(5): 426-430
Category: Hepatology: Review article

Overview

During the last decade there have been many changes in how we care for patients with acute liver failure which provides them with a better chance of survival. With improved diagnostic capacities the cause of disease can be diagnosed more frequently than previously. It is important to determine the prognosis and to implement a specific therapy. Improvement in the overall management of patients in intensive care (intracranial pressure monitoring, prevention and treatment of early signs of intracranial hypertension, therapeutic hypothermia, microbiological monitoring and prophylaxis, modalities of renal replacement therapy), development of surgical techniques and perioperative care are the factors that have led to improved survival after an urgent liver transplantation for acute liver failure. Despite many improvements in the care of the patients with acute liver failure, mortality without liver transplantation is still high. Therefore, better understanding of the pathogenesis of acute liver failure and providing effective supportive therapy remains a core issue.

Key words:
acute liver failure – liver transplantation – intensive care

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE „uniform requirements“ for biomedical papers.

Submitted:
4. 9. 2013

Accepted:
2. 10. 2013

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