Management of Acute Liver
       Failure




              Dr Ganapathi S Kini
                   DNB Trainee
Management
•   General
•   CNS complication
•   Infection
•   Metabolic
•   Coagulopathy
•   Hemodynamic
•   Renal failure
•   Prognosis predictor
General Considerations

• Though etiologically different , ALF have a common
  clinical features:

      a) Acute loss of hepatocellular function.
      b) Systemic inflammatory response.
      c) Multi-organ failure.
Circulatory dysfunction
  • Agents tried in circulatory dysfunction in ALF include

        – Prostaglandin

        – N Acetyl Cysteine


Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Shiffman ML. Treatment of fulminant hepatic failure with intravenous
prostaglandin E1. Liver Transpl Surg 1998;4:424-431 .
• Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Shiffman
  ML. Treatment of fulminant hepatic failure
  with intravenous prostaglandin E1. Liver
  Transpl Surg 1998;4:424-431
• Lee WM, Hynan LS, Rossaro L, Fontana RJ, Stravitz
  RT, Larson AM, et al. Intravenous N-acetylcysteine
  improves transplant-free survival in early stage non-
  acetaminophen acute liver failure. Gastroenterology
  2009;137:856-864.
Mechanism of N Acetyl Cysteine in
           non paracetamol ALF

• May improve systemic circulation parameters.
• Improve liver blood flow.
• Improve liver function in patients with septic
  shock.


Rank N, Michel C, Haertel C, Lenhart A, Welte M, Meier-Hellmann A, et al. N-acetylcysteine increases liver
blood flow and improves liver function in septic shock patients: Results of a prospective, randomized,
double-blind study. Crit Care Med 2000;28:3799-3807.
CNS Complication

• Cerebral edema
• ICH
• Uncal herniation
Causes of CNS Complication
• Osmsotic disturbance in brain.

• Loss of autoregulation leading to increase blood
  flow.

• Increased S ammonia level.

• ? Inflammation & infection.
• Cerebral edema seldom in Grade I/II HE

   • In 25 – 35% Grade III HE.

   • In 65 – 75% or > Grade IV HE .




Daas M, Plevak DJ, Wijdicks EF, Rakela J, Wiesner RH, Piepgras DG, et al. Acute liver failure: results of a 5-year clinical
protocol. Liver Transp Surg 1995;1:210-219.
Management of grade I/II HE.

• Consider transfer to liver transplant facility & listing for
  transplantation.
• Brain CT: r/o other causes.
• Avoid stimulation

• Avoid sedation.

• Lactulose ?possibly helpful.
Management of grade III/IV HE

• Intubate trachea (may require sedation)

• Elevate head of bed.

• Consider placement of ICP monitoring device.

• Immediate treatment of seizures required prophylaxis
  of unclear value.
• Ellis AJ, Wendon JA, Williams R. Subclinical seizure
  activity and prophylactic phenytoin infusion in acute
  liver failure: a controlled clinical trial. Hepatology
  2000;32:536-541.
• Bhatia V, Batra Y, Acharya SK. Prophylactic
  phenytoin does not improve cerebral edema
  or survival in acute liver failure — a controlled
  clinical trial. J Hepatol 2004;41:89-96.
Management of grade III/IV HE
  • Mannitol severe elevation of ICP or first clinical signs
    of herniation.

  • Hypertonic saline to raise serum sodium to 145-155
    mmol/L.

  • Hyperventilation effects short-lived & may use for
    impending herniation.
Murphy N, Auzinger G, Bernal W, Wendon J. The effect of hypertonic sodium chloride on intracranial
pressure in patients with acute liver failure. Hepatology 2002;39:464-470.
• Murphy N, Auzinger G, Bernal W, Wendon J.
  The effect of hypertonic sodium chloride on
  intracranial pressure in patients with acute
  liver failure. Hepatology 2002;39:464-470
• N 30 (ALF with Grade III/IV HE
     HS – 15 Vs Placebo – 15.

• Increase vassopressor
      HS – 0% Vs Placebo – 86.66% (P <0.001)

• Decrease in ICP
     HS – 86.66% Vs Placebo – 0% (P=.003)

• ICP significantly higher in control group (P=.04)
• Uncontrolled experimental studies have
     shown benefit of Short-acting barbiturates or
     hypothermia for intracranial hypertension
     refractory to osmotic agents as a bridge to
     liver transplantation.


 Forbes A, Alexander GJ, O’Grady JG, Keays R, Gullan R, Dawling S, et al. Thiopental infusion in the treatment of
 intracranial hypertension complicating fulminant hepatic failure. Hepatology 1989;10:306-310.

Jalan R, Damink SWMO, Deutz NEP, Lee A, Hayes PC. Moderate hypothermia for uncontrolled intracranial
hypertension in acute liver failure. Lancet 1999;354:1164-1168.
Infection
• Periodic surveillance for infection.

• Prompt antimicrobial treatment.

• Antibiotic prophylaxis not shown survival
  benefit.


Rolando N, Wade J, Davalos M, Wendon J, Philpott-Howard J,Williams R. The systemic inflammatory
response syndrome in acute liver failure. Hepatology 2000;32:734-739.
Coagulopathy
• Vitamin K.

• FFP for invasive procedures /active bleeding.

• Platelets transfusion for invasive procedures /active
  bleeding.

• Recombinant factor aVII possibly effective for invasive
  procedures

• Prophylaxis for stress ulceration: give H2 blocker/PPI
Hemodynamics

• Volume replacement.

• Pressor support in hypotension refractory.

• Mean arterial pressure >75mm of Hg.




Stravitz RT, Kramer DJ. Management of acute liver failure. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2009;6:542-
553.
Renal Failure

 •    Functional or ATN
 •    Avoid nephrotoxic drugs (NSAIDs)
 •    Continuous mode of RRT is preferred.
 •    Contributes to mortality.


Davenport A, Will EJ, Davidson AM. Improved cardiovascular stability during continuous modes of renal
replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute hepatic and renal failure. Crit Care Med 1993;
21:328-338.
Metabolic Concerns
• Glucose.

• Supplementation of K+, Mg+2 & phosphate.

• Enteral or total parenteral nutrition.
Prognosis predictors.
• US multi-centre study of ALF, etiology of ALF was
  predictors of outcome i.e.,
     a) Transplant free survival >=50% in ALF due to
            Acetaminophen
            Hepatitis A
            Shock Liver
            Pregnancy related disease
• b) Transplant free survival < 25% in ALF due to
       1) Idiosyncratic drug injury
       2) Acute hepatitis B (& other non-hepatitis A viral
  infections)
       3) Autoimmune hepatitis
       4) Mushroom poisoning
       5) Wilson disease
       6)Budd-Chiari syndrome
       7) Indeterminate cause
Other predictors

• Renal dysfunction in non-paracetamol ALF.

• Degree of hepatic encephalopathy.
King’s College Criteria


• Acetaminophen-Induced ALF.

• Non-Acetaminophen-Induced ALF.
Acetaminophen-Induced ALF
1. Strongly consider OLT listing if:
     a) arterial lactate >3.5 mmol/L after early fluid resuscitation

2. List for OLT if:
     a) pH <7.3 - or -
     b) arterial lactate >3.0 mmol/L after adequate fluid
         resuscitation

3. List for OLT if all 3 occur within a 24-hour period:
     a) presence of grade 3 or 4 hepatic encephalopathy
     b) INR >6.5
     c) Creatinine >3.4 mg/dL
Non-Acetaminophen-Induced ALF
• List for OLT if:
        INR >6.5 and encephalopathy present (irrespective of grade)
                               OR
• Any 3 of the following (encephalopathy present; irrespective of
  grade):
  a) Age <10 or >40
  b) Jaundice for >7 days before development of encephalopathy
  c) INR 3.5
  d) S. Bilirubin >17mg/dl.
  d) Unfavorable etiology, such as
                Wilson Disease
                idiosyncratic drug reaction
                seronegative hepatitis
THANK YOU

Ppt0000164

  • 1.
    Management of AcuteLiver Failure Dr Ganapathi S Kini DNB Trainee
  • 2.
    Management • General • CNS complication • Infection • Metabolic • Coagulopathy • Hemodynamic • Renal failure • Prognosis predictor
  • 3.
    General Considerations • Thoughetiologically different , ALF have a common clinical features: a) Acute loss of hepatocellular function. b) Systemic inflammatory response. c) Multi-organ failure.
  • 4.
    Circulatory dysfunction • Agents tried in circulatory dysfunction in ALF include – Prostaglandin – N Acetyl Cysteine Sterling RK, Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Shiffman ML. Treatment of fulminant hepatic failure with intravenous prostaglandin E1. Liver Transpl Surg 1998;4:424-431 .
  • 5.
    • Sterling RK,Luketic VA, Sanyal AJ, Shiffman ML. Treatment of fulminant hepatic failure with intravenous prostaglandin E1. Liver Transpl Surg 1998;4:424-431
  • 6.
    • Lee WM,Hynan LS, Rossaro L, Fontana RJ, Stravitz RT, Larson AM, et al. Intravenous N-acetylcysteine improves transplant-free survival in early stage non- acetaminophen acute liver failure. Gastroenterology 2009;137:856-864.
  • 8.
    Mechanism of NAcetyl Cysteine in non paracetamol ALF • May improve systemic circulation parameters. • Improve liver blood flow. • Improve liver function in patients with septic shock. Rank N, Michel C, Haertel C, Lenhart A, Welte M, Meier-Hellmann A, et al. N-acetylcysteine increases liver blood flow and improves liver function in septic shock patients: Results of a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Crit Care Med 2000;28:3799-3807.
  • 9.
    CNS Complication • Cerebraledema • ICH • Uncal herniation
  • 10.
    Causes of CNSComplication • Osmsotic disturbance in brain. • Loss of autoregulation leading to increase blood flow. • Increased S ammonia level. • ? Inflammation & infection.
  • 11.
    • Cerebral edemaseldom in Grade I/II HE • In 25 – 35% Grade III HE. • In 65 – 75% or > Grade IV HE . Daas M, Plevak DJ, Wijdicks EF, Rakela J, Wiesner RH, Piepgras DG, et al. Acute liver failure: results of a 5-year clinical protocol. Liver Transp Surg 1995;1:210-219.
  • 12.
    Management of gradeI/II HE. • Consider transfer to liver transplant facility & listing for transplantation. • Brain CT: r/o other causes. • Avoid stimulation • Avoid sedation. • Lactulose ?possibly helpful.
  • 13.
    Management of gradeIII/IV HE • Intubate trachea (may require sedation) • Elevate head of bed. • Consider placement of ICP monitoring device. • Immediate treatment of seizures required prophylaxis of unclear value.
  • 14.
    • Ellis AJ,Wendon JA, Williams R. Subclinical seizure activity and prophylactic phenytoin infusion in acute liver failure: a controlled clinical trial. Hepatology 2000;32:536-541.
  • 16.
    • Bhatia V,Batra Y, Acharya SK. Prophylactic phenytoin does not improve cerebral edema or survival in acute liver failure — a controlled clinical trial. J Hepatol 2004;41:89-96.
  • 17.
    Management of gradeIII/IV HE • Mannitol severe elevation of ICP or first clinical signs of herniation. • Hypertonic saline to raise serum sodium to 145-155 mmol/L. • Hyperventilation effects short-lived & may use for impending herniation. Murphy N, Auzinger G, Bernal W, Wendon J. The effect of hypertonic sodium chloride on intracranial pressure in patients with acute liver failure. Hepatology 2002;39:464-470.
  • 18.
    • Murphy N,Auzinger G, Bernal W, Wendon J. The effect of hypertonic sodium chloride on intracranial pressure in patients with acute liver failure. Hepatology 2002;39:464-470
  • 19.
    • N 30(ALF with Grade III/IV HE HS – 15 Vs Placebo – 15. • Increase vassopressor HS – 0% Vs Placebo – 86.66% (P <0.001) • Decrease in ICP HS – 86.66% Vs Placebo – 0% (P=.003) • ICP significantly higher in control group (P=.04)
  • 20.
    • Uncontrolled experimentalstudies have shown benefit of Short-acting barbiturates or hypothermia for intracranial hypertension refractory to osmotic agents as a bridge to liver transplantation. Forbes A, Alexander GJ, O’Grady JG, Keays R, Gullan R, Dawling S, et al. Thiopental infusion in the treatment of intracranial hypertension complicating fulminant hepatic failure. Hepatology 1989;10:306-310. Jalan R, Damink SWMO, Deutz NEP, Lee A, Hayes PC. Moderate hypothermia for uncontrolled intracranial hypertension in acute liver failure. Lancet 1999;354:1164-1168.
  • 21.
    Infection • Periodic surveillancefor infection. • Prompt antimicrobial treatment. • Antibiotic prophylaxis not shown survival benefit. Rolando N, Wade J, Davalos M, Wendon J, Philpott-Howard J,Williams R. The systemic inflammatory response syndrome in acute liver failure. Hepatology 2000;32:734-739.
  • 22.
    Coagulopathy • Vitamin K. •FFP for invasive procedures /active bleeding. • Platelets transfusion for invasive procedures /active bleeding. • Recombinant factor aVII possibly effective for invasive procedures • Prophylaxis for stress ulceration: give H2 blocker/PPI
  • 23.
    Hemodynamics • Volume replacement. •Pressor support in hypotension refractory. • Mean arterial pressure >75mm of Hg. Stravitz RT, Kramer DJ. Management of acute liver failure. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2009;6:542- 553.
  • 24.
    Renal Failure • Functional or ATN • Avoid nephrotoxic drugs (NSAIDs) • Continuous mode of RRT is preferred. • Contributes to mortality. Davenport A, Will EJ, Davidson AM. Improved cardiovascular stability during continuous modes of renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute hepatic and renal failure. Crit Care Med 1993; 21:328-338.
  • 25.
    Metabolic Concerns • Glucose. •Supplementation of K+, Mg+2 & phosphate. • Enteral or total parenteral nutrition.
  • 26.
    Prognosis predictors. • USmulti-centre study of ALF, etiology of ALF was predictors of outcome i.e., a) Transplant free survival >=50% in ALF due to Acetaminophen Hepatitis A Shock Liver Pregnancy related disease
  • 27.
    • b) Transplantfree survival < 25% in ALF due to 1) Idiosyncratic drug injury 2) Acute hepatitis B (& other non-hepatitis A viral infections) 3) Autoimmune hepatitis 4) Mushroom poisoning 5) Wilson disease 6)Budd-Chiari syndrome 7) Indeterminate cause
  • 28.
    Other predictors • Renaldysfunction in non-paracetamol ALF. • Degree of hepatic encephalopathy.
  • 29.
    King’s College Criteria •Acetaminophen-Induced ALF. • Non-Acetaminophen-Induced ALF.
  • 30.
    Acetaminophen-Induced ALF 1. Stronglyconsider OLT listing if: a) arterial lactate >3.5 mmol/L after early fluid resuscitation 2. List for OLT if: a) pH <7.3 - or - b) arterial lactate >3.0 mmol/L after adequate fluid resuscitation 3. List for OLT if all 3 occur within a 24-hour period: a) presence of grade 3 or 4 hepatic encephalopathy b) INR >6.5 c) Creatinine >3.4 mg/dL
  • 31.
    Non-Acetaminophen-Induced ALF • Listfor OLT if: INR >6.5 and encephalopathy present (irrespective of grade) OR • Any 3 of the following (encephalopathy present; irrespective of grade): a) Age <10 or >40 b) Jaundice for >7 days before development of encephalopathy c) INR 3.5 d) S. Bilirubin >17mg/dl. d) Unfavorable etiology, such as Wilson Disease idiosyncratic drug reaction seronegative hepatitis
  • 32.