Comment on O'Brien et al.: Prevalence and outcome of cirrhosis patients admitted to UK intensive care: A comparison against dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure patients

摘要

We read with interest O'Brien et al.'s [1] multicentre analysis of survival for patients with cirrhosis in ICU, but would advise caution in application of the conclusions to clinical practice. Firstly, we question the comparisons made between end-stage renal failure and cirrhosis. The liver's position at the apex of multiple synthetic, detoxifying, metabolic, vascular, immunological and hormonal processes predisposes to a number of complications not found in renal failure, in which the deficit often remains isolated from other systems.