Acute liver failure: A curable disease by 2024?

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Transplantation Surgery

Background:

• Acute liver failure (ALF) was historically a rare condition with a poor prognosis.
• Significant advancements in critical care and treatment options have transformed ALF outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of ALF classification, pathophysiology, and management.
• To discuss future challenges in improving ALF care.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on ALF over the past three decades.
• Analysis of changes in disease characteristics and treatment protocols.

Main Results:

• ALF is now a well-characterized condition with improved patient survival.
• A notable decrease in the incidence of cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension has been observed.
• Emergency liver transplantation (ELT) is an established therapeutic option.

Conclusions:

• Modern critical care protocols and ELT have dramatically improved ALF outcomes.
• Further research is needed to address remaining challenges in ALF management.