Acute-on-chronic liver failure

Acute on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is defined as a sudden loss of liver function accompanied with at least one additional organ failure (i.e. kidney, lungs, brain, etc.) in patients with pre-existing liver disease. As of 2018, ACLF has impacted 4.5 million Americans and has caused over 51,000 deaths in 2020 alone [1]. Common pre-existing conditions that are seen in patients with ACLF include bacterial infections (meningitis), hepatitis, and excessive alcohol or drug consumption [2]. Patients with ACLF experience symptoms such as cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver due to liver damage), jaundice, and increased waste levels in the blood, such as bilirubin.

Back To Top
Skip to toolbar