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Definitions, Epidemiology and Prognostication of Liver Disease

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Hepatic Critical Care

Abstract

Patients presenting to the intensive care unit with liver failure may be categorized into two main subtypes, those with acute liver failure and those with complications of chronic liver diseases, the former being a rare condition and the latter far more common. In both categories, patients presenting with liver failure have phenotypical features of multi-system failure, a deranged inflammatory response, and pose unique challenges for management in the intensive care unit. Differentiating acute liver failure from the liver failure associated with chronic liver disease is of critical diagnostic importance, as management strategies are distinctly different. The purpose of this chapter is to review the definitions of liver failure, the epidemiology of liver disease, and current tools to aid in prognosis of liver failure.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hepatology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., MS 1023, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA

    Jody C. Olson M.D., F.A.C.P.

  2. Mayo Clinic, Mayo 9 West, 200 1st St NW, Rochester, MN, 55901, USA

    Patrick S. Kamath M.D.

Authors
  1. Jody C. Olson M.D., F.A.C.P.
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  2. Patrick S. Kamath M.D.
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Correspondence to Jody C. Olson M.D., F.A.C.P. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Intensive Care Unit, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

    Rahul Nanchal

  2. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Ram Subramanian

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Olson, J.C., Kamath, P.S. (2018). Definitions, Epidemiology and Prognostication of Liver Disease. In: Nanchal, R., Subramanian, R. (eds) Hepatic Critical Care . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66432-3_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66432-3_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-66431-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-66432-3

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