What Is Liver Failure?

By amanda

Reviewed: Dr. Mera

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. Gagan K et al. Acute liver failure. Medscape: Drugs and Diseases (2019) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177354-overview
• 2. Mayo Clinic. Diseases and Conditions: Liver Disease. (2020) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20374502
• 3. Wolf, David C. et al. Cirrhosis. Medscape: Drugs and Diseases (2018) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/185856-overview

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8. Prognosis

Without treatment, acute liver failure has a high mortality, but it varies depending on the cause. For example, patients experiencing liver failure due to viral hepatitis have a worse prognosis than those who have overdosed on acetaminophen.¹Gagan K et al. Acute liver failure. Medscape: Drugs and Diseases (2019) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177354-overview Age also affects survival, with the lowest rates in those under 10 and over 40 years old.¹Gagan K et al. Acute liver failure. Medscape: Drugs and Diseases (2019) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/177354-overview

A liver transplant significantly improves the chance of survival. The mortality rate one year after transplant is only 10 to 15% and remains less than 30% after 5 years.³Wolf, David C. et al. Cirrhosis. Medscape: Drugs and Diseases (2018) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/185856-overview These rates reflect drastic technological advancements since the 1980s when patient mortality was 30% one year and 85% five years post-transplant. ³Wolf, David C. et al. Cirrhosis. Medscape: Drugs and Diseases (2018) https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/185856-overview