Liver transplantation for acute liver failure

Abstract

Before liver transplantation became widely applicable as a treatment option, the mortality rate for acute liver failure was as high as 85%. Today, acute liver failure is a relatively common transplant indication in some settings, but the results of liver transplantation in this context appear to be worse than those for chronic forms of liver disease. In this review, we discuss the indications and contraindications for urgent liver transplantation. In particular, we consider the roles of auxiliary, ABO-incompatible, and urgent living donor liver transplantation and address the management of a «status 1» patient with total hepatectomy and portocaval shunt for toxic liver syndrome.

Keywords: ABO-incompatible liver transplantation; Acute liver failure; Auxiliary liver transplantation; Fallo hepático agudo; Fulminant hepatitis; Hepatitis fulminante; Living donor liver transplantation; Síndrome de hígado tóxico; Toxic liver syndrome; Trasplante hepático auxiliar; Trasplante hepático con donante vivo; Trasplante hepático incompatible-ABO.