'Fulminant hepatic failure' anesthesiologic considerations

Purpose of review The aim is to summarize perioperative management of patients with acute liver failure (ALF). Recent findings The risk of mortality has decreased due to advancements in supportive care and the admission of ALF patients to the ICU. Noninvasive intracranial pressure monitoring is now preferred over invasive methods. Alternatives like transcranial Doppler have emerged, and treatments such as hypertonic saline and mannitol have proven effective in reducing intracranial hypertension (ICH), a common cause of death in these cases. In contrast, invasive hemodynamic monitoring may be necessary to optimize fluid management and the use of vasopressors or inotropes. Norepinephrine should be the first-choice vasopressor for hemodynamic support. Acute kidney injury frequently occurs in patients with ALF and often necessitates the early initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT). RRT also helps clear hyperammonemia, which can enhance ICH control. Furthermore, coagulation management should rely on point-of-care viscoelastic tests rather than traditional lab tests, as this provides a more accurate assessment of thrombotic or hemorrhagic risks during ALF. Summary Multiorgan failure associated with ALF requires rapid and aggressive treatment to mitigate the risk of fatal outcomes. Key issues that must be effectively managed include encephalopathy, brain edema, severe coagulopathy, hemodynamic instability, and acute kidney injury.