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Liver transplantation for subfulminant hepatitis
D H Van Thiel1, H I Wright, S Fagiuoli
1Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, PA 15213.
Summary
Liver transplantation (OLT) is crucial for subfulminant hepatic failure when medical therapy fails or is unavailable. Future advancements may reduce OLT
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Viral hepatitis can cause subfulminant hepatic failure.
- Treatment options depend on the specific virus and disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review viral hepatitis types leading to subfulminant hepatic failure.
- To outline treatment strategies including medical therapy and liver transplantation (OLT).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of viral hepatitis and subfulminant hepatic failure.
- Analysis of treatment indications for medical therapy and OLT.
Main Results:
- Specific medical therapy is preferred when available.
- OLT is indicated for advanced disease unresponsive to medical therapy or when no medical therapy exists, provided no prohibitive extrahepatic disease is present.
Conclusions:
- OLT is a vital treatment for subfulminant hepatic failure.
- Improved immunosuppression and antiviral therapies may decrease future reliance on OLT.