For PPT

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a devastating syndrome that triggers a cascade of events, leading to
multiple organ failure and often death.
ALF is a syndrome defined by the occurrence of encephalopathy, coagulopathy and jaundice in
an individual with a previously normal liver.
Patients with high grades of encephalopathy, the chances of survival are less than 20% with
medical management alone. Early deaths in ALF are often caused by cerebral oedema or
cardiovascular collapse, whereas late deaths tend to result from sepsis and multiple organ failure.
O’Grady System
 Hyperacute (0 - 1 week
 Acute (From 1 week - 4 weeks)
 Subacute (From 4th week - 12 weeks)

Causes of Acute Liver Failure

1. Viral Hepatitis
- Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E
- CMV, EBV, VZV
 2. Drugs/Toxins
-Acetaminophen
-Herbal supplements
-Antibiotics
-Mushroom poisoning
3. Shock/ ischemic liver
4. Alcoholic hepatitis
5. Autoimmune disease
6. Cryptogenic
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of acute liver failure may include:
 Yellowing of your skin and eyeballs (jaundice)
 Pain in your upper right abdomen
 Abdominal swelling (ascites)
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 A general sense of feeling unwell (malaise)
 Disorientation or confusion
 Sleepiness
 Breath may have a musty or sweet odor
 Tremors
Complications
Acute liver failure often causes complications, including:

 Excessive fluid in the brain (cerebral edema).

 Bleeding and bleeding disorders.
 Infections.
 Kidney failure.