Fulminant Hepatic Necrosis

摘要

Fulminant hepatic necrosis is a devastating illness of varied causes, carrying considerable mortality and affecting patients with previously healthy livers. The clinical presentation varies widely but encephalopathy is the defining criterion. Management requires a multidisciplinary approach, including triage, monitoring, and referral to a transplantation center for further evaluation. Early prognostication and timely availability of donor livers are essential for a successful outcome. The development of effective liver support devices may greatly prolong the window of opportunity to provide a donor liver, or alternatively, to allow the native liver to regenerate.