Liver failure

Question 1

define

Answer 1

loss of livers ability to regenerate and repair

Question 2

Types of liver failure

Answer 2

fulminant hepatic failure
late-onset hepatic failure
chronic decompensated hepatic failure

Question 3

Symptoms

Answer 3

Abnormal bleeding
Ascites
Jaundice
Hepatic encephalopathy (cognitive confusion)

Question 4

Type of liver failure due to

Answer 4

Weeks of onset

Question 5

Fulminant hepatic failure onset

Answer 5

Within 8 weeks of onset of underlying illness

Question 6

Late onset hepatic failure

Answer 6

8-26 weeks since onset of underlying illness

Question 7

Chronic decompensated hepatic failure

Answer 7

Latent period >6 months

Question 8

Causes

Answer 8

Toxins:
Paracetamol overdose most common for acute
Alcohol 
Infections:
Viral hepatitis 
Epstein-barr 
CMV
Neoplasticism:
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Metabolic: Wilson’s A1AT deficiency 
Others: acute fatty liver of pregnancy 
Ischeamia 
Auto immune liver disease

Question 9

Pathology

Answer 9

Generally destruction of hepatocytes
development of fibrosis in response to chronic inflammation
Destruction of architecture of the nodules of the liver
Removes livers ability to repair and regenerate

Question 10

Investigation

Answer 10

Raised bilirubin
Glucose low (no gluconeogensis)

Question 11

Treatement

Answer 11

Transplant in severe cases

Treatement for cause