Liver failure is a potentially life-threatening condition in which theliveris no longer able to service the body’s needs.
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Acute vs. ## Acute Liver Failure
Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare disease.
There are only 2,000 to 3,000 cases reported in the United States each year.
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In some cases, ALF can become life-threatening within hours if left untreated.
It is caused bycirrhosis, the gradual loss of liver function due to progressive scarring of the liver.
If your liver is still functional, you are said to havecompensated cirrhosis.
Decompensated cirrhosis, in turn, can lead to liver failure and death.
Although ACLF is often reversible, it is usually a sign of severe disease progression.
In people with cirrhosis, it is associated with a 28-day mortality rate of 15%.
Liver Failure Stages and Progression
Liver failure progresses in stages.
With acute liver failure, theonset of symptomsis typically swift and severe.
Many of these symptoms aresubclinical,meaning that they are not readily observable.
If liver failure is suspected, your healthcare provider will start by reviewing your medical history.
Once stabilized, specific treatments are prescribed based on the known or suspected cause.
Survival and Mortality Rates
Both acute and chronic life failure carry a high risk of death.
This is especially true with ALF.
Some people may even experience a complete reversal, given the liver’s ability to regenerate itself.
Even so, some individuals will eventually need a transplant if significant damage is done.
Chronic liver failure can develop slowly with the onset of decompensated cirrhosis.
Liver failure can rapidly turn deadly if left untreated and may require a liver transplant to survive.
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