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Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: Can We Agree on a Definition?

  • Management of the Cirrhotic Patient (NS Reau and A Cardenas, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has recently received more recognition. It is a condition characterized by acute clinical deterioration in patients with chronic liver disease and is often associated with a precipitant event. It is a form of decompensated cirrhosis characterized by the presence of extrahepatic organ failure and high short-term mortality. Several definitions have been recently proposed for ACLF; however, larger prospective studies are still needed to refine our understanding of this new entity. This article explores the most recently proposed definitions, classification, and prognostic models of ACLF.

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Conflict of Interest

Douglas A. Simonetto and Patrick S. Kamath declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First ST SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Douglas A. Simonetto & Patrick S. Kamath

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  1. Douglas A. Simonetto
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  2. Patrick S. Kamath
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Correspondence to Patrick S. Kamath.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Management of the Cirrhotic Patient

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Simonetto, D.A., Kamath, P.S. Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: Can We Agree on a Definition?. Curr Hepatology Rep 14, 40–45 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-015-0254-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-015-0254-x

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