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[Conservative therapy of liver failure]
1Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Abteilung für Gastroenterologie, Düsseldorf.
Zentralblatt Fur Chirurgie
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Hepatic failure, marked by reduced liver function, has poor prognosis. Treatment focuses on supportive care and removing toxins, with liver transplantation as a last resort for severe cases.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Internal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Context:
- Hepatic failure encompasses acute and chronic conditions, significantly impairing liver functions like synthesis, regulation, and detoxification.
- Acute liver failure often stems from viral hepatitis, while chronic forms are typically linked to liver cirrhosis.
Purpose:
- To outline the characteristics, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic strategies for hepatic failure.
- To emphasize the limited causal treatment options and the critical role of supportive measures.
Summary:
- Hepatic failure is defined by declining liver function, presenting acutely (e.g., viral hepatitis, intoxication) or chronically (e.g., cirrhosis).
- Key clinical signs include hepatic encephalopathy and hemostatic disturbances. Causal therapies are absent; management focuses on eliminating the cause and supportive care.
- Supportive strategies involve detoxification and hemostasis stabilization. Due to poor prognosis, orthotopic liver transplantation is the ultimate treatment option.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical need for effective supportive therapies in managing hepatic failure.
- Underscores the limited treatment landscape and the significance of liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease.