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Acute Liver Failure: Diagnosis and Management for the General Intensive Care

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Key Topics in Management of the Critically Ill

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Abstract

Acute liver failure is a rare condition, resulting from a rapid decline in hepatic function with potentially life threatening sequelae. Detailing the definitions pertinent to the syndrome, the chapter outlines the evidence behind prognostication and the identification of patients requiring intensive care and subsequent tertiary specialist input. Exploring the evidence behind current practice, this chapter allows the general intensivist quantifiable insight upon which to base management decisions both in the initial and continuing management of such complex patients.

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Abbreviations

AoCLD:

Acute-on-chronic liver disease

HELLP:

Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count

ICP:

Intracranial pressure

MHRA:

Medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency

PEEP:

Positive end expiratory pressure

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Magill Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Management, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Rd, London, SW10 9NH, UK

    Behrad Baharlo MBBS, BSc (Hons), FRCA

Authors
  1. Behrad Baharlo MBBS, BSc (Hons), FRCA
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Behrad Baharlo MBBS, BSc (Hons), FRCA .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom

    Marcela P. Vizcaychipi

  2. Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive, St George's Hospital, London, United Kingdom

    Carlos M. Corredor

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Baharlo, B. (2016). Acute Liver Failure: Diagnosis and Management for the General Intensive Care. In: Vizcaychipi, M., Corredor, C. (eds) Key Topics in Management of the Critically Ill. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22377-3_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22377-3_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-22376-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-22377-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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