Acute liver failure is life-threatening and requires immediate action. The most common cause is acetaminophen overdose. The condition can also be triggered by poisonous mushrooms, acute viral hepatitis and Budd-Chiari syndrome (hepatic vein occlusion), among other conditions, as well as medications and herbal supplements.
As your liver fails, it becomes less efficient in performing its many functions, including blood clotting, hormone and sugar regulation and fluid balance. Close monitoring in the ICU is necessary to manage symptoms and deliver therapies.
Sutter care centers have proven expertise in the evaluation and management of acute liver failure. If necessary, acute liver failure patients may be referred for a transplant to the Barry S. Levin, MD, Department of Transplant at CPMC. Our highly regarded program transplants twice the number of acute liver failure patients as the national average. Many more patients are successfully treated without transplant.
If acute liver failure is suspected, contact us immediately. Our Transfer Center is staffed round-the-clock to bring acutely ill patients to California Pacific Medical Center for treatment. The Transfer Center can be reached at (888) 637-2762.