Selection of patients with acute hepatic failure for liver transplantation remains difficult, and there is no definite proof of a survival effect. We therefore did a retrospective study in 75 consecutive patients referred over a 12-year period. In two-thirds we identified a cause, mostly viruses or drugs. Patients were grouped by the Clichy and King's College criteria. In 20 there was no indication for transplantation. Of the 5 with autoimmune hepatitis, 3 died, significantly differing from the other 15 (P = 0.009). The remaining 55 met our criteria, except 1. All 9 patients with absolute contraindications died. Of the 46 enlisted, 7 died without transplantation. One-year survival after transplantation was 69%, compared with 58% by "intention to treat." For patients enlisted, transplantation reduced mortality by 78% (P = 0.069). The Clichy and King's College criteria reliably predict survival without transplantation, except in autoimmune hepatitis. Our study strongly suggests that transplantation improves survival.

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doi.org/10.1007/s00147-001-0369-6, hdl.handle.net/1765/66544
Transplant International
Department of Surgery

de Rave, S., Tilanus, H., van der Linden, J., de Man, R., van den Berg, B., Hop, W., … Metselaar, H. (2002). The importance of orthotopic liver transplantation in acute hepatic failure. Transplant International, 15(1), 29–33. doi:10.1007/s00147-001-0369-6