Liver failure Aetiology
Liver failure Pathology
- Cerebral oedema due to break down of gut proteins to ammonia.
Acute liver failure types (timings)
1) Hyper-acute = jaundice to encephalopathy within 7 days
2) Acute = 8-28 days
3) Sub-acute = >21days yet <26 weeks.
Acute liver failure definition
Liver failure presentation
Liver failure Ix
1) Bloods - LFT, Clotting and albumin (better markers than LFT), viral serology, Paracetamol level.
2) Imaging; CT/MRI/USS
3) Liver biopsy
4) EEG
Liver failure Rx - criteria for transfer to specialist unit
1) INR >3
2) Encephalopathy
3) Hypotensive despite fluid resus
4) Metabolic acidosis
5) PT in secs > than number of hours following POD
Liver failure Rx
1) ABCDE
2) Supportive care for encephalopathy; bowel wash out + mannitol for raised ICP + Lactulose and rifampicin.
3) Correct metabolic and electrolyte issues (including potassium and BM)
4) Correct coagulopathy w/ vit K, blood products.
5) ABx prophylaxis
6) Liver Tx is definitive.
Patient - Middle aged man w/ bronzed skin, T2DM and hepatomegaly.
HH Aetiology
HH Pathology
HH Presentation
Reversible effects of HH
- Skin pigmentation
Irreversible effects of HH
HH Ix
1) Bloods; serum iron is raised w/ a reduction in TIBC and transferrin saturation.
2) Genetic testing
3) LFT
4) Liver biopsy - not Dx but can help assess extent of damage.
5) MRI - reduced magnetic effect of the liver and panc due to the paramagnetic effects of ferritin and haemosiderin.
HH Rx
1) Venesection - remove excess iron to prevent tissue damage. 500ML tiwce a week until iron is normal and then 4x per year.
2) Screen relatives.
Wilson’s disease Aetiology
Wilson’s disease Pathology
Wilson’s disease Presentation
Wilson’s disease Ix
1) Serum copper and caeruloplasmin - both low.
2) Urinary copper - increased
3) Liver biopsy; suggestive if high levels of copper but not diagnostic.
4) Genetic testing
Wilson’s disease Rx
1) Lifelong penicillamine 1-1.5g/day. Chelates copper.
- SE = rashes, leucopenia and renal damage
Patient - Kid presents w/ behavioural problems, deranged LFT suggesting hepatitis. You notice a tremor and unusual movement and that his speech is unusual.
Wilson’s disease
Patient - COPD + Liver disease
Alpha 1 antitrypsin.
Alpha 1 antitrypsin aetiology