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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies

Published on: January 16, 2019

'Liver function tests' on the intensive care unit: a prospective, observational study.

S J Thomson¹, M L Cowan, I Johnston

¹Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Rd, Tooting, London SW17 0QT, UK.

Intensive Care Medicine

|June 11, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Deranged liver function tests (LFTs) are common in critically ill patients, with abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gammaGT) linked to increased 30-day mortality risk.

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Area of Science:

Critical Care Medicine
Hepatology
Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

Liver function tests (LFTs) are routinely monitored in intensive care units (ICUs).
The prevalence and clinical significance of abnormal LFTs in critically ill patients without pre-existing hepatobiliary disease require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the prevalence, patterns, and prognostic significance of abnormal LFTs in critically ill patients.
To assess the association between abnormal LFTs and clinical events or 30-day mortality.

Main Methods:

Prospective observational study collecting LFTs (bilirubin, ALT, AKP, gammaGT) and critical care parameters.
Analysis of LFT abnormalities at ICU admission and their relationship to clinical events and 30-day mortality.

Main Results:

61% of critically ill patients without hepatobiliary disease had abnormal LFTs on ICU admission.
Abnormal ALT, AKP, or gammaGT were associated with increased 30-day mortality risk (ORs 2.7-3.9).
Episodes of ventilation, hemofiltration, and hypotension correlated with abnormal ALT on day 3.

Conclusions:

Low-grade LFT abnormalities are common and significant in critically ill patients.
Abnormal LFTs are associated with adverse clinical events and mortality outcomes in the ICU.
LFT abnormalities may indicate a spectrum of liver injury related to critical illness.