Symptoms of LIVER FAILURE

Fulminant Hepatic Failure (FHF) is a disease condition that develops in the absence of previous liver disease and is varcharacterized by acute hepatic dysfunction with the onset of encephalopathy within two to eight weeks of the onset of jaundice. A patient may enter a state of liver failure by a variety of routes. Prominent among these is viral hepatitis caused by at least three distinct viruses: hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus. Drug ingestion is also a significant cause of liver failure, with alcohol being the most familiar. Other agents associated with liver failure include many of the most widely used pharmaceuticals. Acetaminophen, taken with suicidal intent, is the single most common cause of fulminant liver failure in Great Britain. Acute fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) continues to be associated with a mortality rate in excess of 50% in spite of advances in medical management and treatment by liver transplantation. Upwards of 25% of patients with FHF are not suitable candidates for liver transplantation and are associated with a mortality rate exceeding 90%. In addition 5-10% of patients who are suitable candidates for liver transplantation expire due to the unavailability of a donor liver.