Acute liver failure laboratory findings

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Laboratory Findings

All patients with clinical or laboratory evidence of moderate to severe acute hepatitis should have immediate measurement of prothrombin time and careful evaluation of mental status. If the prothrombin time is prolonged by ≈ 4-6 seconds or more (INR ≥1.5) and there is any evidence of altered sensorium, the diagnosis of ALF should be strongly suspected and hospital admission is mandatory[1]. Initial laboratory examination must be extensive in order to evaluate both the aetiology and severity.

Initial laboratory analysis[1]

Liver Biopsy

A liver biopsy done via the transjugular route because of coagulopathy is not usually necessary other than in occasional malignancies.

As the evaluation continues, several important decisions have to be made such as whether to admit the patient to an ICU, or whether to transfer the patient to a transplant facility. Consultation with the transplant centre as early as possible is critical due to possibility of rapid progression of ALF.

2011 AASLD Recommendations : General Measures [2](DO NOT EDIT)

Class III
1. Liver biopsy is recommended when autoimmune hepatitis is suspected as the cause of acute liver failure, and autoantibodies are negative.
2. In patients with acute liver failure who have a previous cancer history or massive hepatomegaly, consider underlying malignancy and obtain imaging and liver biopsy to confirm or exclude the diagnosis.
3. If the etiological diagnosis remains elusive after extensive initial evaluation, liver biopsy may be appropriate to attempt to identify a specific etiology that might influence treatment strategy.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Polson J, Lee WM (2005). "AASLD position paper: the management of acute liver failure". Hepatology. 41 (5): 1179–97. doi:10.1002/hep.20703. PMID 15841455.
  2. "www.aasld.org" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-10-26.

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