An Assessment of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation in Acute Liver Failure
Roger Williams, A. E. S. Gimson – 1 January 1984 – Mortality of fulminant hepatic failure with standard supportive therapy is high (80 to 85%), but unfortunately most patients present to hospital already in Grade IV encephalopathy with severe liver dysfunction, and many have secondary organ damage. If seen earlier, during Grade III encephalopathy, recent experience with charcoal hemoperfusion can give good results (65% survival). Transplantation has a place in those patients who do not respond, and in cases with early Grade IV encephalopathy.