Clinical management of acute liver failure: Results of an international multi-center survey

Plasma exchange does not improve overall survival in patients with acute liver failure in a real world cohort

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Therapeutic plasma exchange (PEX) has emerged as a potential treatment option for patients with acute liver failure (ALF). The effect of PEX on survival outcomes outside of clinical trials is not yet well established. In this study we aimed to evaluate the real-world use and outcomes of PEX for the treatment of ALF.

METHODS

This multicentre retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with ALF admitted to all 7 tertiary liver transplant centres in the United Kingdom (UK) between June 2013 and December 2021. Changes in clinical variables following PEX treatment was assessed and overall survival and transplant free survival (TFS) to hospital discharge of patients receiving PEX were compared to those receiving standard medical therapy (SMT). Propensity score matching was performed to control for intergroup covariates and selection bias.

RESULTS

We included 378 patients with ALF (median (IQR) age 36 (28-48), 64% (n=242) female) of which 120 received PEX. There was a significant improvement in most clinical variables following PEX, including median dose of noradrenaline (reduction from 0.35 μg/kg/min (0.19 - 0.70 μg/kg/min) to 0.16 μg/kg/min (0.08 - 0.49) (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between PEX and SMT groups in overall survival (51.4 % v 62.6 % respectively, p = 0.12) or TFS (42.6 % v 53.1 %, p = 0.24).

CONCLUSION

PEX is now frequently used in the management of ALF patients in the UK. It is associated with significant improvement in haemodynamic parameters but there is no survival benefit.

Perioperative care in acute liver failure: An anaesthesiologist perspective in the operating theatre

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening condition characterized by rapid liver function deterioration, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach for optimal perioperative care. This comprehensive review focuses on the critical role of the anaesthesiologist throughout the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases, addressing the unique challenges posed by ALF. The article begins with an exploration of ALF, underlining the urgency of timely referral to specialized hepatology centres. Liver transplantation emerges as a life-saving intervention, and the complex decision-making process is discussed, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary team to assess transplantation candidacy based on established prognostic criteria. In the preoperative phase, the review stresses the importance of early engagement with tertiary liver centres for timely referrals and identifies patients suitable for transplantation. Safe transport protocols are detailed, highlighting the meticulous planning required for the secure transfer of ALF patients between healthcare facilities. The intraoperative management section delves into the anaesthesiologist's key concerns, including neurological status, sepsis, acute kidney injury, body mass index, and preoperative fasting. Hemodynamic stability, fluid management, and coagulation balance during surgery are emphasized, with insights into anaesthesia techniques, vascular access, monitoring, and hemodynamic management tailored to the challenges posed by ALF patients. The postoperative care is thoroughly examined covering neurological, hemodynamic, metabolic, renal, and nutritional aspects. Management of ALF involves multidisciplinary team, including nephrology for continuous renal replacement therapy, transfusion medicine for plasma exchange, critical care for overall patient care, nutritionists for ensuring adequate nutrition, and hepatologists as the primary guides. In conclusion, the review recognizes the anaesthesiologist as a linchpin in the perioperative care of ALF patients. The integration of safe transport protocols and multidisciplinary approach is deemed crucial for navigating complexities of ALF, contributing to improved patient outcomes. This article serves as an invaluable resource for gastroenterologist and intensivists, enhancing their understanding of the anaesthesiologist's indispensable role in the holistic care of ALF patients in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Future directions in acute liver failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) describes a clinical syndrome of rapid hepatocyte injury leading to liver failure manifested by coagulopathy and encephalopathy in the absence of pre-existing cirrhosis. The hallmark diagnostic features are a prolonged prothrombin time (ie, an international normalized ratio of prothrombin time of ≥1.5) and any degree of mental status alteration (HE). As a rare, orphan disease, it seemed an obvious target for a multicenter network. The Acute Liver Failure Study Group (ALFSG) began in 1997 to more thoroughly study and understand the causes, natural history, and management of ALF. Over the course of 22 years, 3364 adult patients were enrolled in the study registry (2614 ALF and 857 acute liver injury-international normalized ratio 2.0 but no encephalopathy-ALI) and >150,000 biosamples collected, including serum, plasma, urine, DNA, and liver tissue. Within the Registry study sites, 4 prospective substudies were conducted and published, 2 interventional ( N -acetylcysteine and ornithine phenylacetate), 1 prognostic [ 13 C-methacetin breath test (MBT)], and 1 mechanistic (rotational thromboelastometry). To review ALFSG's accomplishments and consider next steps, a 2-day in-person conference was held at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, entitled "Acute Liver Failure: Science and Practice," in May 2022. To summarize the important findings in the field, this review highlights the current state of understanding of ALF and, more importantly, asks what further studies are needed to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis, natural history, and management of this unique and dramatic condition.

Acute Liver Failure Guidelines

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare, acute, potentially reversible condition resulting in severe liver impairment and rapid clinical deterioration in patients without preexisting liver disease. Due to the rarity of this condition, published studies are limited by the use of retrospective or prospective cohorts and lack of randomized controlled trials. Current guidelines represent the suggested approach to the identification, treatment, and management of ALF and represent the official practice recommendations of the American College of Gastroenterology. The scientific evidence was reviewed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation process to develop recommendations. When no robust evidence was available, expert opinions were summarized using Key Concepts. Considering the variety of clinical presentations of ALF, individualization of care should be applied in specific clinical scenarios.

Etiology and Outcome of Adult and Pediatric Acute Liver Failure in Europe

Acute liver failure (ALF) is rare but life-threatening. Common causes include intoxications, infections, and metabolic disorders. Indeterminate etiology is still frequent. No systematic data on incidence, causes, and outcome of ALF across Europe are available. Via an online survey we reached out to European Reference Network Centers on rare liver diseases. Numbers and etiology of ALF cases during 2020 were retrieved and diagnostic and treatment availabilities assessed. In total, 455 cases (306 adult, 149 pediatric) were reported from 36 centers from 20 countries. Intoxication was the most common cause in adult and pediatric care. The number of cases with indeterminate etiology is low. Diagnostic tools and specific treatment options are broadly available within this network. This is the first approach to report on etiology and outcome of ALF in the pediatric and adult population in Europe. High diagnostic yield and standard of care reflects the expert status of involved centers.

Intracranial pressure monitoring in the perioperative period of patients with acute liver failure undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation

Acute liver failure (ALF) may result in severe neurological complications caused by cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Multiple pathogenic mechanisms explain the elevated ICP, and newer hypotheses have been described. While invasive ICP monitoring (ICPM) may have a role in ALF management, these patients are typically coagulopathic and at risk for intracranial hemorrhage. ICPM is the subject of much debate, and significant heterogeneity exists in clinical practice regarding its use. Contemporary ICPM techniques and coagulopathy reversal strategies may be associated with a lower risk of hemorrhage; however, most of the evidence is limited by its retrospective nature and relatively small sample size.

Management of Acute Liver Failure: Update 2022

Abbreviated pathogenesis and clinical course of the acute liver failure syndrome. The pathogenesis and clinical course of the syndrome of acute liver failure (ALF) differs depending upon the etiology of the primary liver injury. In turn, the severity of the liver injury and resulting synthetic failure is often the primary determinant of whether a patient is referred for emergency liver transplantation. Injuries by viral etiologies trigger the innate immune system via pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), while toxin-induced (and presumably ischemia-induced) injuries do so via damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). The course of the clinical syndrome further depends upon the relative intensity and composition of cytokine release, resulting in an early proinflammatory phenotype (SIRS) and later compensatory anti-inflammatory response phenotype (CARS). The outcomes of overwhelming immune activation are the systemic (extrahepatic) features of ALF (cardiovascular collapse, cerebral edema, acute kidney injury, respiratory failure, sepsis) which ultimately determine the likelihood of death.Acute liver failure (ALF) continues to carry a high risk of mortality or the need for transplantation despite recent improvements in overall outcomes over the past two decades. Optimal management begins with identifying that liver failure is indeed present and its etiology, since outcomes and the need for transplantation vary widely across the different etiologies. Most causes of ALF can be divided into hyperacute (ischemia and acetaminophen) and subacute types (other etiologies), based on time of evolution of signs and symptoms of liver failure; the former evolve in 3 to 4 days and the latter typically in 2 to 4 weeks. Both involve intense release of cytokines and hepatocellular contents into the circulation with multiorgan effects/consequences.Management involves optimizing fluid balance and cardiovascular support, including the use of continuous renal replacement therapy, vasopressors, and pulmonary ventilation. Early evaluation for liver transplantation is advised particularly for acetaminophen toxicity, which evolves so rapidly that delay is likely to lead to death.Vasopressor support, high-grade hepatic encephalopathy, and unfavorable (subacute) etiologies heighten the need for urgent listing for liver transplantation. Prognostic scores such as Kings Criteria, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, and the Acute Liver Failure Group prognostic index take these features into account and provide reasonable but imperfect predictive accuracy. Future treatments may include liver support devices and/or agents that improve hepatocyte regeneration.

Neurological monitoring and sedation protocols in the Liver Intensive Care Unit

Patients with liver disease often have alteration of neurological status which requires admission to an intensive care unit. Patients with acute liver failure (ALF), acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and rarely cirrhosis are at risk of cerebral edema. These patients require prompt assessment of neurological status including assessment of intra-cranial pressure (ICP) and monitoring metabolic parameters like arterial/venous ammonia levels, serum creatinine and serum electrolytes so that timely specific therapy for raised ICP can be instituted to prevent permanent neurological dysfunction. The overall aims of neuromonitoring and sedation protocols in a liver intensive care unit are to identify the level of multifactorial metabolic encephalopathy, individualize sedation and analgesia requirements for patients on mechanical ventilation, institute specific therapy to correct the neurological insult in ALF and ACLF, provide clear physiological data for guided therapy of drugs like muscle relaxants, antiepileptics, and cerebral edema reducing agents, and assist with overall prognostication. In this review article we will outline the clinical scenarios related to liver disease requiring intensive care and neuromonitoring, current techniques of neurological assessment, sedation protocols and point of care tests which enable the treating physician and intensivist guide therapy for raised ICP.

Variation in the Care of Acute Liver Failure: A Survey of Intensive Care Professionals

INTRODUCTION

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare disease with potentially high mortality. We sought to assess the individual approach to ALF by intensive care unit (ICU) professionals.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey of ICU professionals. Web-based survey capturing data on respondents' demographics, characteristics of patients with ALF admitted to ICU, and their management.

RESULTS

Among 204 participants from 50 countries, 140 (68.6%) worked in Europe, 146 (71.6%) were intensivists, 142 (69.6%) admitted <25 patients with ALF per year, and 166 (81.8%) reported <25% of patients had paracetamol-related ALF. On patients' outcomes, 126 (75.0%) reported an emergency liver transplantation (ELT) rate <25% and 140 (73.3%) a hospital mortality rate <50%. The approach to ALF in the ICU varied with age, region, level of training, type of hospital, and etiology (prescribing N-acetylcysteine for paracetamol toxicity, triggers for endotracheal intubation, measurement of and strategies for lowering serum ammonia, extracorporeal device deployment, and prophylactic antibiotics).

CONCLUSIONS

The management of patients with ALF by ICU professionals differed substantially concerning the relevant clinical measures taken. Further education and high-quality research are warranted.

ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical nutrition in liver disease

BACKGROUND

The Practical guideline is based on the current scientific ESPEN guideline on Clinical Nutrition in Liver Disease.

METHODS

It has been shortened and transformed into flow charts for easier use in clinical practice. The guideline is dedicated to all professionals including physicians, dieticians, nutritionists and nurses working with patients with chronic liver disease.

RESULTS

A total of 103 statements and recommendations are presented with short commentaries for the nutritional and metabolic management of patients with (i) acute liver failure, (ii) alcoholic steatohepatitis, (iii) non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, (iv) liver cirrhosis, and (v) liver surgery/transplantation. The disease-related recommendations are preceded by general recommendations on the diagnostics of nutritional status in liver patients and on liver complications associated with medical nutrition.

CONCLUSION

This practical guideline gives guidance to health care providers involved in the management of liver disease to offer optimal nutritional care.

Possible role for acetylcysteine as a treatment for acute liver failure secondary to antitubercular medication use

PURPOSE

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) that progresses to acute liver failure (ALF) has a high mortality rate, and therapeutic options are limited. Acetylcysteine has a labeled indication for use as an antidote for acetaminophen toxicity and has also been used with limited success in treatment of non-acetaminophen-induced liver injury, with small clinical trials indicating an increase in transplant-free survival. Recommendations for management of non-acetaminophen-induced DILI include withdrawal of the offending agent and supportive care. Treatment guidelines generally discourage a rechallenge with an offending medication, except in cases where there are no other therapeutic options for management of a serious disease, such as active tuberculosis (TB).

SUMMARY

This case report describes the reversal of ALF due to DILI in a patient receiving antitubercular agents for active TB. After withdrawal of initially prescribed antitubercular agents, the patient was switched to a less hepatotoxic anti-TB regimen and intravenous acetylcysteine pending results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing. After stabilization of the patient's liver enzyme levels, intravenous acetylcysteine was discontinued and oral acetylcysteine was continued for 5 days without an increase in hepatic enzyme levels or clinical deterioration. After 5 days, oral acetylcysteine was discontinued due to patient-reported nausea and vomiting.

CONCLUSION

Given the limited number of therapeutic interventions shown to be beneficial in ALF and data suggesting a protective effect against DILI with initiation of acetylcysteine at the start of treatment with anti-TB medications, acetylcysteine can be considered for patients with anti-TB - associated DILI.

Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy: Pathophysiology, Anesthetic Implications, and Obstetrical Management

A narrative review of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, delivery implications, obstetric anesthesia care, and potential critical care needs in patients presenting with acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

Update on the management of acute liver failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review describes the current intensive care management of acute liver failure (ALF) and the latest evidence for emerging therapies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Mortality from ALF continues to improve and in some cases, medical therapy can negate the need for liver transplantation because of protocolized management in specialist centres. Liver transplantation remains the cornerstone of management for poor prognosis ALF. The reduced use of blood products in ALF reflects growing evidence of balanced haemostasis in severe liver disease. Prophylactic therapeutic hypothermia is no longer recommended for neuroprotection. In cases not suitable for liver transplantation, high-volume plasma exchange (HVP) has potential benefit, although further research on the optimal timing and dosing is needed. Although sepsis remains an important complication in ALF, the use of prophylactic antimicrobials is being questioned in the era of emerging bacterial resistance.

SUMMARY

ICU management of ALF has improved such that liver transplantation is not required in some cases. HVP has emerged as a potential therapy for patients who may not be good liver transplantation candidates. Nevertheless in suitable patients with poor prognosis liver transplantation remains the optimal therapy.

Correction and Control of Hyperammonemia in Acute Liver Failure: The Impact of Continuous Renal Replacement Timing, Intensity, and Duration

OBJECTIVES

Hyperammonemia is a key contributing factor for cerebral edema in acute liver failure. Continuous renal replacement therapy may help reduce ammonia levels. However, the optimal timing, mode, intensity, and duration of continuous renal replacement therapy in this setting are unknown. We aimed to study continuous renal replacement therapy use in acute liver failure patients and to assess its impact on hyperammonemia.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

ICU within a specialized liver transplant hospital.

PATIENTS

Fifty-four patients with acute liver failure.

INTERVENTIONS

Data were obtained from medical records and analyzed for patient characteristics, continuous renal replacement therapy use, ammonia dynamics, and outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

Forty-five patients (83%) had high grade encephalopathy. Median time to continuous renal replacement therapy commencement was 4 hours (interquartile range, 2-4.5) with 35 (78%) treated with continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration and 10 (22%) with continuous venovenous hemofiltration. Median hourly effluent flow rate was 43 mL/kg (interquartile range, 37-62). The median ammonia concentration decreased every day during treatment from 151 µmol/L (interquartile range, 110-204) to 107 µmol/L (interquartile range, 84-133) on day 2, 75 µmol/L (interquartile range, 63-95) on day 3, and 52 µmol/L (interquartile range, 42-70) (p < 0.0001) on day 5. The number of patients with an ammonia level greater than 150 µmol/L decreased on the same days from 26, to nine, then two, and finally none. Reductions in ammonia levels correlated best with the cumulative duration of therapy hours (p = 0.03), rather than hourly treatment intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous renal replacement therapy is associated with reduced ammonia concentrations in acute liver failure patients. This effect is related to greater cumulative dose. These findings suggest that continuous renal replacement therapy initiated early and continued or longer may represent a useful approach to hyperammonemia control in acute liver failure patients.

Histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor ACY1215 offers a protective effect through the autophagy pathway in acute liver failure

AIM

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the protective effect of histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor ACY1215 on autophagy pathway in acute liver failure (ALF).

MAIN METHODS

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and d-galactosamine (D-Gal) were used to induce ALF model in C57BL/6 mice. D-Gal and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were applied in L02 cell. Autophagy inhibitor 3-MA and ACY1215 were conducted to induce 3-MA group, ACY1215 group and ACY1215+3-MA group.

RESULTS

ACY1215 improved liver histological and functional changes in ALF mice model, whereas the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA aggravated liver tissue pathological and functional damage in ALF mice model group. The apoptotic levels (including apoptotic index/rate and apoptotic proteins) in ALF mice and L02 cell were ameliorated with treatment ACY1215. 3-MA accentuated the apoptotic levels in ACY1215 group. D-Gal/TNF-α could reduce L02 cell mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in control group. ACY1215 increased the ΔΨm in ALF model. 3-MA also further reduced the ΔΨm in ACY1215 group. ACY1215 could induce autophagy in ALF mice and cell model group accompanied with an increase in expression of LC3-II and beclin-1 proteins and down-regulation of p62 protein. Moreover, the expression of LC3-II and beclin1 proteins were greatly reduced and the expression of p62 protein was ascended after intervention with 3-MA in ACY1215 group.

SIGNIFICANCE

Histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor ACY1215 could protect acute liver failure mice and L02 cell by inhibiting apoptosis pathway through enhancing autophagy way.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Sites Related to Acetylation and Mechanism of ACY-1215 in Acute Liver Failure Mice

Background: ACY-1215 is a well-known selective histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitor, and it has been considered as a potential therapeutic drug in inflammatory diseases, including acute liver failure (ALF). However, little is known about the impact of ACY-1215 treatment on histone lysine acetylation and proteome in ALF. In this study, we aim to investigate whether ACY-1215 has inhibitory effects and mechanism on the necrosis of hepatocytes; moreover, the impact of ACY-1215 treatment on histone lysine acetylation still needs further elucidation.

Methods: Male C57/BL6 mice were divided into normal, model, and ACY-1215 groups. ACY-1215 (25 mg/kg) and same amounts of saline were injected intraperitoneally to the mice before the establishment of ALF model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (100 µg/kg) combined with D-gal (400 mg/kg). All animals were sacrificed after 24 h. In this study, detection programs, including quantitative proteomic analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs, pathological staining, protein expression, the detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) measurement.

Results: The function of liver and the necrosis of hepatocytes in ALF mice were significantly normalized by ACY-1215 pretreatment. The quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that ACY-1215-restrained oxidative phosphorylation normalized the function respiratory electron-transport chain in the mitochondria. Moreover, pretreatment of ACY-1215 not only normalized the structure of mitochondria but also inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Conclusions: ACY-1215 was able to inhibit necrosis of hepatocytes in ALF mice through regulating the mitochondrial-mediated oxidative stress, and we identified the common sites related to acetylation level.

How to manage: acute liver failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare but life-threatening clinical syndrome with a broad range of causes. Significant improvements in outcome have occurred over the last 50 years, resulting not only from incremental improvements in specialist critical care and a step-change following the introduction of transplantation for this indication, but also better and more effective treatment started early at the site of first presentation.1 2 Emergency liver transplantation (LTx) remains an important intervention and the decision regarding the need for LTx remains key to management, though non-transplant therapies now appear effective for many causes of the condition. In this short review, we will outline issues in the recognition and management of ALF and ongoing challenges in its treatment.

Acute Liver Failure: From Textbook to Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit With Concomitant Established and Modern Novel Therapies

Acute liver failure is a rare hepatic emergent situation that affects primarily young people and has often a catastrophic or even fatal outcome. Definition of acute liver failure has not reached a universal consensus and the interval between the appearance of jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy for the establishment of the acute failure is a matter of debate. Among the wide variety of causes, acetaminophen intoxication in western societies and viral hepatitis in the developing countries rank at the top of the etiology list. Identification of the clinical appearance and initial management for the stabilization of the patient are of vital significance. Further advanced therapies, that require intensive care unit, should be offered. The hallmark of treatment for selected patients can be orthotopic liver transplantation. Apart from well-established treatments, novel therapies like hepatocyte or stem cell transplantation, additional new therapeutic strategies targeting acetaminophen intoxication and/or hepatic encephalopathy are mainly experimental, and some of them do not belong, yet, to clinical practice. For clinicians, it is substantial to have the alertness to timely identify the patient and transfer them to a specialized center, where more treatment opportunities are available.

ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition in liver disease

This update of evidence-based guidelines (GL) aims to translate current evidence and expert opinion into recommendations for multidisciplinary teams responsible for the optimal nutritional and metabolic management of adult patients with liver disease. The GL was commissioned and financially supported by ESPEN. Members of the guideline group were selected by ESPEN. We searched for meta-analyses, systematic reviews and single clinical trials based on clinical questions according to the PICO format. The evidence was evaluated and used to develop clinical recommendations implementing the SIGN method. A total of 85 recommendations were made for the nutritional and metabolic management of patients with acute liver failure, severe alcoholic steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, liver surgery and transplantation as well as nutrition associated liver injury distinct from fatty liver disease. The recommendations are preceded by statements covering current knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology and pathobiochemistry as well as pertinent methods for the assessment of nutritional status and body composition.

Outcome of Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure Managed Without Intracranial Pressure Monitoring or Transplantation

Acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure (ALF) may require emergency liver transplantation (LT) in the presence of specific criteria, and its management may also include intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in selected patients at high risk of cerebral edema. We aimed to test the hypothesis that management of such patients without ICP monitoring or LT would yield outcomes similar to those reported with conventional management. We interrogated a database of all patients treated in an intensive care unit for acetaminophen-induced ALF between November 2010 and October 2016 and obtained relevant information from electronic medical records. We studied 64 patients (58 females) with a median age of 38 years. Such patients had a high prevalence of depression, substance abuse, or other psychiatric disorders and had ingested a median acetaminophen dose of 25 g. No patient received ICP monitoring or LT. Overall, 51 (79.7%) patients survived. Of the 42 patients who met King's College Hospital (KCH) criteria, 29 (69.0%) survived without transplantation. There were 45 patients who developed severe hepatic encephalopathy, and 32 (71.1%) of these survived. Finally, compared with the KCH criteria, the current UK Registration Criteria for Super-Urgent Liver Transplantation (UKRC) for super-urgent LT had better sensitivity (92.3%) and specificity (80.4%) for hospital mortality. In conclusion, in a center applying a no ICP monitoring and no LT approach to the management of acetaminophen-induced ALF, during a 6-year period, overall survival was 79.7%, and for patients fulfilling KCH criteria, it was 69.0%, which were both higher than for equivalent patients treated with conventional management as reported in the literature. Finally, the current UKRC may be a better predictor of hospital mortality in this patient population.

Neurological Monitoring in Acute Liver Failure

Cerebral oedema and Intracranial Hypertension (ICH) are serious complications of acute liver failure affecting approximately 30% of patients, resulting in neurological injury or death. Multiple pathogenetic mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of HE including circulating neurotoxins such as ammonia, systemic and neuro-inflammation, infection and cerebral hyperaemia due to loss of cerebral vascular autoregulation. Early recognition and diagnosis is often difficult as clinical signs of elevated Intracranial Pressure (ICP) are not uniformly present and maybe masked by other organ support. ICP monitoring provides early diagnosis and monitoring of ICH, allowing targeted therapeutic interventions for prevention and treatment. ICP monitoring is the subject of much debate and there exists significant heterogeneity of clinical practice regarding its use. The procedure is associated with risks of haemorrhage but may be considered in highly selected patients such as those with highest risk for ICH awaiting transplant to allow for patient selection and optimisation. There is limited evidence that ICP monitoring confers a survival benefit which may explain why in the context of risk benefit analysis there is reduced utilisation in clinical practice. Less or non-invasive techniques of neurological monitoring such as measurement of jugular venous oxygen saturation to assess cerebral oxygen utilisation, and transcranial Doppler CNS to measure cerebral blood flow can provide important clinical information. They should be considered in combination as part of a multi-modal platform utilising specific roles of each system and incorporated within locally agreed algorithms. Other tools such as near-infrared spectrophotometry, optic nerve ultrasound and serum biomarkers of brain injury are being evaluated but are not used routinely in current practice.

Modern Management of Acute Liver Failure

Acute liver failure is a rare but life-threatening disease that can lead to progressive encephalopathy, intracranial hypertension, and multiorgan failure. In the developed world, the most common cause remains acetaminophen overdose, but there are still many cases in which there is acute liver failure of unknown etiology. The mainstay of acute liver failure management remains supportive care in the critical care setting. If supportive treatment does not stabilize the disease process, the patient may require emergent liver transplantation. This article summarizes the current management of acute liver failure.

Histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor ACY-1215 protects against experimental acute liver failure by regulating the TLR4-MAPK/NF-κB pathway

Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is considered a new target for anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and neurodegenerative treatment. ACY-1215 is a selective histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor, and it has been recognized as a potential anticancer and anti-inflammation drug. The aim of our study was to investigate whether ACY-1215 has protective effects on acute liver failure (ALF) in mice and explore its potential mechanism. Male C57/BL6 mice were divided into normal, model, and ACY-1215 groups. ACY-1215 (25mg/kg) and same amounts of saline were given to mice. After 2h, the ALF models were induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100μg/kg) combined with D-galactosamine (D-gal, 400mg/kg). All animals were killed after 24h. The expressions of HDAC6 were determined by western blotting and RT-PCR assay. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA and RT-PCR. The protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) species were determined by western blot. The mortality of mice with ALF induced by LPS and D-gal was significantly decreased by ACY-1215 pretreatment. Procedures to manage ALF caused adversely affected liver histology and function; this damage was repaired by pretreatment of ACY-1215. ACY-1215 treatment also attenuated the serum and messenger RNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines. Pretreatment of ACY-1215 significantly decreased the protein expression of TLR4 and the activation of MAPK and NF-κB signalling pathways. ACY-1215 has potential therapeutic value in mice with ALF by directly inhibiting inflammatory response via regulation of the TLR4-MAPK/NF-kB pathway.

Anesthesia for Liver Transplantation

The provision of anesthesia for a liver transplant program requires a dedicated team of anesthesiologists. Liver transplant anesthesiologists must have an understanding of liver physiology and anatomy; the spectrum of clinical disease associated with liver dysfunction; the impact of warm and cold ischemia times, surgical techniques in liver transplantation, and the impact of ischemia-reperfusion syndrome; and optimal practices to protect the liver. The team must provide a 24-hour service, be actively involved in the selection committee process, and stay current with advances in the subspecialty.

Protocol based invasive intracranial pressure monitoring in acute liver failure: feasibility, safety and impact on management

Background

Acute liver failure (ALF) may result in elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). While invasive ICP monitoring (IICPM) may have a role in ALF management, these patients are typically coagulopathic and at risk for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Contemporary ICP monitoring techniques and coagulopathy reversal strategies may be associated with a lower risk of hemorrhage. Our objective was to evaluate the safety, feasibility, impact on clinical management and outcomes associated with protocol-directed use of IICPM in ALF.

Methods

Adult patients admitted between June 2011 and October 2016, with ALF and grade-4 encephalopathy with a reasonable likelihood of survival, were eligible for IICPM. The coagulopathy reversal protocol included administration of recombinant Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) and desmopressin, a goal platelet count >50,000/mm³ and fibrinogen >100 mg/dL. Monitor insertion was performed within an hour of the rFVIIa dose. Only intraparenchymal monitors were used. Computed tomography of the brain was performed prior to and within 24 hours of monitor placement. Outcomes of interest included ICH, sustained intracranial hypertension, therapeutic intensity level (TIL) for ICP management, mortality and functional outcome on the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge and 6 months.

Results

A total of 24/37 patients (65%) with ALF underwent IICPM. The most common reason for exclusion was encephalopathy grade <4. Four patients underwent liver transplantation. There was one asymptomatic ICH following IICPM, in a patient who had an excellent outcome. Sustained intracranial hypertension occurred in 13/24 monitored patients (54%), 5/24 (21%) required extreme measures (TIL-4) for ICP control, which were successful in 4 patients: 12/24 patients (50%) died but only 4 deaths (17%) were attributed to intracranial hypertension. Six of the 8 survivors with 6-month follow up had good functional outcome (GOS >3).

Conclusions

Protocol-directed use of IICPM in ALF is feasible, associated with a low incidence of serious complications and has a significant impact on clinical management.