Fulminant hepatic failure: a rare but often lethal coma syndrome

Fulminant hepatic failure is an extremely rare coma syndrome resulting from massive necrosis of liver cells. A wide variety of etiologic agents have been identified, including viruses, drugs, and other toxic agents. Treatment focuses on reducing the ammonia load presented to the liver and on preventing or controlling complications, including sepsis, bleeding, cerebral edema, renal failure, and respiratory failure. With further research and identification of the specific toxins or metabolic derangements underlying the pathophysiology of this syndrome, more effective therapeutic measures may be devised.