Fulminant hepatitis: Who survives without liver transplantation?

In order to rescue more patients with fulminant hepatitis (FH) in a setting of the shortage of liver grafts, it is important not only to determine the suitable timing for liver transplantation (LT) but also to reduce avoidable operations for patients surviving without LT. This study aimed to identify prognostic parameters for survival without LT in FH patients.

In 96 FH patients who did not receive LT, we examined prognostic parameters at the time of the diagnosis of FH, which were associated with patient's survival.

Fifty-three patients (55%) were female. The median age was 48 years. At the time of the diagnosis of FH, hepatic coma grade was II in 63 patients (66%), III in 22 (23%) and IV in 11 (11%). Forty-six patients (48%) were in a state of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Four parameters of age (<45 years), SIRS (no), direct bilirubin/total bilirubin ratio (>0.65), and total bilirubin (<12.0 mg/dL) were associated with patient's survival. Overall survival rate of eight patients ulfilling all four parameters were 88%. In 17 patients fulfilling any three parameters, 2-week, 4-week and overall survival rates were 82%, 77% and 71%, respectively. On the other hand, overall survival rate of 38 patients fulfilling any one parameter or none was less than 10%.

Patients fulfilling all four parameters will be successfully treated without LT. In patients fulfilling any three parameters, intensive care including artificial liver support in expectation of hepatic regeneration during a few weeks may be possible.