Acute Liver Failure

by William M. Lee, Roger Williams, Jean-Pierre Benhamou, Jacques Bernuau

Overview

Acute liver failure (ALF), or fulminant hepatic failure, is a distinct clinical syndrome that crosses medical disciplines. A relatively rare condition, ALF remains a major focus of clinical and research attention. With the advent of transplantation, the importance of understanding management of ALF has taken on a new urgency. In this first volume dedicated to ALF, the editors bring together a distinguished team of contributors to describe the etiology, pathology and treatment of this important syndrome. Also covered are consensus techniques in liver transplantation for ALF patients, as well as descriptions of artificial and bioartificial liver assist devices. A section on future treatments includes hepatocyte transplantation, auxiliary grafts and other temporary liver support. Notable for the high level of the authors' expertise, this comprehensive volume should prove invaluable.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521188944
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/02/2011
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Lee, William M. (Univ of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas); Williams, Roger (King's Coll School of Medicine and Dentistry, London)

The contributors represent the specialties of liver disease research, gastroenterology, nutrition research, pathology, and microbiology. Most are from hospitals and universities in the U.S., the U.K., France, Denmark, Canada, and Germany. Institutions prominently represented include Mount Sinai Medical Center, Hopital Universitaire de Hautepierre, Children's Hospital Medical Center, King's Coll, and Albert Einstein Coll of Medicine.

Table of Contents

Part I. Clinical Syndrome and Etiology: 1. Classification and clinical syndromes of Acute Liver Failure; 2. Viral hepatitis and Acute Liver Failure; 3. Drug hepatoxicity and Acute Liver Failure; 4. Acetaminophen-related Acute Liver Failure; 5. Unusual causes of Acute Liver Failure; 6. Pediatric aspects of Acute Liver Failure; Part II. Mechanisms of Disease and Multisystem Involvement: 7. The role of cytokines and immune mechanisms in Acute Liver Failure; 8. The pathology of Acute Liver Failure; 9. Hepatic replication and liver regeneration; Part III. Intensive Care Management; 10. Medical management of Acute Liver Failure; 11. Circulatory derangements: monitoring and management of heart, kidney and brain; 12. Brain edema and intracranial hypertension in Acute Liver Failure; 13. Management of infection in Acute Liver Failure; Part IV. Transplantation: 14. Prognosis and consideration of transplantation; 15. Liver transplantation in patients with Acute Liver Failure: the European experience; 16. Liver transplantation in patients with Acute Liver Failure: the American experience; 17. Auxiliary liver transplantation; Part V. Artificial and Bioartifical Liver Devices: 18. Extracorporeal liver support: historical background and critical analysis; 19. Hepatocyte culture and bioreactor design for liver support systems; 20. Clinical experience with an extracorporeal liver assist device (ELAD); Part VI. Other Approaches: 21. Treatment of Acute Liver Failure by high volume plasmapheresis; 22. Dialysis/adsorption techniques for Acute Liver Failure; 23. Hepatocyte transplantation in liver failure and inherited metabolic disorders.

Editorial Reviews

3 Stars from Doody

This slim book is the first to be dedicated to acute liver failure. The transatlantic editors have taken a refreshing approach by including contributions from newcomers alongside established authorities and highlighting diversities across different continents. The chapters read easily as individual essays; some are surprisingly personal. The focus is practical rather than on basic science. Cytokines and immunology take precedence over virology. The most obvious omission—advances in molecular pathogeneses of fulminant viral hepatitis, especially hepatitis B—probably reflects the paucity of references cited after 1994. This book is crafted to appeal at all levels and offers something for everyone involved in this complex, multidisciplinary field. Chapters 11 and 12 give erudite accounts of the pathophysiology of circulatory derangements and cerebral edema. The 35 color plates complement the chapter by Dr. Bernard Portmann and Dr. Romel Saxena, which becomes one of the most comprehensive treatises in pathology. Chapters 15 and 16 contrast clinical practice and epidemiologies between Europe and the U.S.; the many discordances should serve as a caution against direct extrapolation of data from transatlantic experiences. Surgical aspects are well represented. That six chapters address liver assist devices reflects rekindled trends in research rather than new approaches with proven efficacy and practical feasibility. Hepatectomy alone is out of favor. Instead, one chapter heralds auxiliary liver transplantation as a significant advance likely to gain credibility as a bridge to potential spontaneous regeneration of native liver while optimizing the supply of donor organs.This book is a landmark in the field and worthy of monograph status. Many citations pay homage to the pioneering work of King's College and other devotees. Future editions could be enriched by acknowledging the contributions of healthcare teams who have dedicated lives and careers to acute liver failure, as well as their ""significant others.""

Elizabeth Ann Fagan

Reviewer: Elizabeth Ann Fagan, MD, MRCP (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This slim book is the first to be dedicated to acute liver failure. The transatlantic editors have taken a refreshing approach by including contributions from newcomers alongside established authorities and highlighting diversities across different continents.
Purpose: The chapters read easily as individual essays; some are surprisingly personal. The focus is practical rather than on basic science. Cytokines and immunology take precedence over virology. The most obvious omission — advances in molecular pathogeneses of fulminant viral hepatitis, especially hepatitis B — probably reflects the paucity of references cited after 1994.
Audience: This book is crafted to appeal at all levels and offers something for everyone involved in this complex, multidisciplinary field.
Features: Chapters 11 and 12 give erudite accounts of the pathophysiology of circulatory derangements and cerebral edema. The 35 color plates complement the chapter by Dr. Bernard Portmann and Dr. Romel Saxena, which becomes one of the most comprehensive treatises in pathology. Chapters 15 and 16 contrast clinical practice and epidemiologies between Europe and the U.S.; the many discordances should serve as a caution against direct extrapolation of data from transatlantic experiences. Surgical aspects are well represented. That six chapters address liver assist devices reflects rekindled trends in research rather than new approaches with proven efficacy and practical feasibility. Hepatectomy alone is out of favor. Instead, one chapter heralds auxiliary liver transplantation as a significant advance likely to gain credibility as a bridge to potential spontaneous regeneration of native liver while optimizing the supply of donor organs.
Assessment: This book is a landmark in the field and worthy of monograph status. Many citations pay homage to the pioneering work of King's College and other devotees. Future editions could be enriched by acknowledging the contributions of healthcare teams who have dedicated lives and careers to acute liver failure, as well as their "significant others."

Doody's Review Service

"The book is written by several prominent clinicians and experienced researchers who have given thoughtful and excellent overviews of different aspects of acute liver failure. The chapters are detailed, covering not only the basic concepts of the pathophysiology and general management of this syndrome but also future directions of research...It is current, comprehensive, well written, and well organised, all of which make it very easy to read. Most of all, this ambitious endeavor serves all the audiences that it targets." Hari Conjeevaram, The Lancet

"This slim book is the first to be dedicated to acute liver failure...the chapters read easily as individual essays... This book is a landmark in the field and worthy of monagraph status." Elizabeth Ann Fagan, Doody's Heath Sciences Book Review Journal

"To summarise, this is an excellent up-to-date refernce book for the complex and perplexing syndrome of acute liver failure. The book has many strengths. It is current, comprehensive, well-written, and well organised, all of which make it very easy to read. Most of all, this ambitious endeavour serves all the audiences that it targets." Hari Conjeevaram, The Lancet

"We congratulate the international team of authors who wrote this timely book on acute hepatic failure. As a result of its comprehensive coverage, this volume will prove invaluable to internists, hepatologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and other clinicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of acute liver failure. The medical litertaure had a place for such a comprehensive reference for a number of years, and, finally, that place is filled." Lehel Somogyi and David Nelson, Modern Pathology

From the Publisher