Intensive management of hepatic failure.

A substantial number of patients with liver failure are admitted to the intensive care unit; thus a thorough understanding of the prevention and treatment of complications in such patients is imperative. The management of liver failure is demanding and often involves the combined efforts of many specialists. Critically ill patients with hepatic failure encompass a broad spectrum of disease, ranging from acute liver failure in a patient with no prior history of liver disease, to acute or chronic liver failure. The initial assessment and management of acute liver failure are reviewed with an emphasis on the prevention and treatment of brain edema in the pretransplant setting. The current treatment of complications resulting from decompensated chronic liver disease such as portal hypertensive bleeding; infection, renal failure, and hepatic encephalopathy are then discussed.