Acute Liver Failure Flashcards
1
Q
What is Acute Liver Failure?
A
Life-threatening severe liver injury occurring within days to 6 months after insult
Rapid increase in AST/ALT, AMS, coagulopathy
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2
Q
What causes ALF?
A
Almost 50% cases are drug-induced (majority acetaminophen)
Other causes:
* Viral hepatitis
* autoimmune
* hypoxia
* ALF of pregnancy
* HELLP
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3
Q
What are the s/s of ALF?
A
- Jaundice
- nausea
- RUQ pain
- cerebral edema
- encephalopathy
- multi-organ failure
- death
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4
Q
What is the treatment for ALF?
A
- Treat the cause
- supportive care
- liver transplant
