Treatments for Liver failure

Treatments for Liver failure

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Liver failure includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.

• Intensive care
• Treatment of the underlying cause
• Liver transplant
• The most important step is to identify the cause of liver failure
• The most important aspect of treatment is to provide good intensive care support
• Airway protection
• Liver transplantation

Liver failure: Research Doctors & Specialists

• Liver Health Specialists (Hepatology):
  • Transplant Hepatology (Liver Transplant Specialist)
• more specialists...»

Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Latest treatments for Liver failure:

The following are some of the latest treatments for Liver failure:

• Isotonic IV fluid
• Oxygen
• Nasogastric suction
• Ampicillin
• Gentamicin
• Metronidazole
• Ticarcillin
• Piperacillin
• Cefoxitin
• Tobramycin
• ERCP papillotomy
• Balloon or basket retrieval
• Open surgery
• Interferon
• Penicillamine
• Corticosteroids
• Exchange transfusion
• Phototherapy
• Phenobarbital
• Metalloporphyrins

Hospital statistics for Liver failure:

These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Liver failure:

• 0.015% (1,894) of hospital consultant episodes were for hepatic failure in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
• 64% of hospital consultant episodes for hepatic failure required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
• 56% of hospital consultant episodes for hepatic failure were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
• 44% of hospital consultant episodes for hepatic failure were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
• 80% of hospital consultant episodes for hepatic failure required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
• more hospital information...»

Medical news summaries about treatments for Liver failure:

The following medical news items are relevant to treatment of Liver failure:

• Anti-retroviral drug trial may have led to pregnant woman's death
• More news »

Discussion of treatments for Liver failure:

Book Excerpts: Treatment of Liver failure

• Treatment - Hepatomegaly
• Treatment - Jaundice
• Treatment - Hepatomegaly
• Treatment - Jaundice in Infants – Direct
• Treatment - Jaundice in Infants – Indirect
• Patient counseling - Jaundice [Icterus]
• Patient counseling - Hepatomegaly
• Patient counseling - Jaundice
• Nursing considerations - Hepatomegaly
• Nursing considerations - Jaundice [Icterus]

Treatments of Liver failure: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the treatments of Liver failure.

Hepatomegaly: Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

• Heart failure: Diuretics, inotropes, and afterload reduction
• Viral hepatitis: Supportive care and antivirals in some chronic cases
• Alcoholic liver disease: Abstinence from alcohol, steroids in severe cases, and possible transplant
• Fatty liver: Treat underlying obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia
• Sarcoidosis: Steroids
• Hemochromatosis: Iron removal by weekly phlebotomy for 2–3 years and/or deferoxamine chelation
• Wilson's disease: Copper chelation with D-penicillamine or trientine; may require liver transplantation
• Neoplasms: Resection and chemotherapy
• Abscess or cyst: Antimicrobials, percutaneous drainage, and/or surgical resection
• Amyloidosis: Prednisone and alkylating agents

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004

Jaundice: Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

• Discontinue and avoid potentially hepatotoxic medications
• Supportive care for viral hepatitis
• Rehydrate/refeed for Gilbert's syndrome
• Consider steroids in fulminant alcoholic hepatitis
• Cholecystectomy or ERCP with stone removal for obstructing gallstones
• Treat underlying causes of hemolysis or other disorders
• Antibiotics for cholangitis, sepsis
• Hydroxyurea and folate for sickle cell disease, prevent crises by adequate hydration, vaccinating against diseases, and try to prevent other infections

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004

Hepatomegaly: Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

• Geared towards specific disease
• Cholestasis
  –Ursodeoxycholic acid
  –Supplemental fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
• Infections
  –Consider interferon for hepatitis B
  –Consider interferon and ribaviron for hepatitis C
• Toxins
  –Use of NTBC for tyrosinemia
• Metabolic disease
  –Metabolism consultation
  –Often requires specific restricted formulas
• Surgical repair for biliary atresia
  –Kasai portoenterostomy has better outcome if done before 60 days of age
• Mucomyst for acute acetaminophen toxicity
• Immune suppression for autoimmune hepatitis

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Jaundice in Infants – Direct: Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

• Varies by specific disorder

• General medication principles of cholestasis include
  –Promoting bile flow with ursodeoxycholic acid
  –Consider phenobarbital (increases bile excretion)
  –Fat-soluble vitamins including K, D, E
  –Vitamin A is a relative contraindication given hepatotoxicity at high levels

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Jaundice in Infants – Indirect: Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

• Treatment options vary based on level of bilirubin, age of presentation, and cause
  –Goal is prevent levels high enough to cause kernicterus
• Phototherapy involves the use of photon energy to change the structure of bilirubin and permit excretion without glucuronidation
  –Decisions for use are age-based
  –Considered when serum level above 14 mg/dL
• Exchange transfusion should be considered with serum levels above 25 mg/dL
• IVF or breast-feed more frequently to increase volume
  
• Correct endocrine abnormality
• Improve perfusion if cardiac problem
• Correct anatomic abnormality
• Consider enteral binding agents
  –Cholestyramine, charcoal, calcium phosphate
• Crigler-Najjar: Phenobarbital, may need liver transplantation

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Jaundice [Icterus]: Patient counseling
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

Encourage the patient with a hepatic disorder to decrease his protein intake sharply and increase his intake of carbohydrates. If he has obstructive jaundice, encourage a nutritious, balanced diet (avoiding high-fat foods) and frequent small meals.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006

Hepatomegaly: Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

Instruct the patient to avoid alcohol. Explain the importance of following the treatment plan to correct or control the underlying disorder as needed. Tell the patient to avoid exposure to people with infections and to maintain good personal hygiene. Explain the importance of pacing activities and having frequent rest periods.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007

Jaundice: Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

Encourage the patient with a hepatic disorder to decrease his protein intake sharply and increase his intake of carbohydrates. If he has obstructive jaundice, encourage a nutritious, balanced diet (avoiding high-fat foods) and frequent small meals. Teach the patient ways to reduce pruritus.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007

Hepatomegaly: Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

▪ Prepare the patient for liver enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin, and globulin studies to evaluate liver function and for X-rays, a liver scan, celiac arteriography, a computed tomography scan, and ultrasonography to confirm hepatomegaly.

▪ Provide bed rest, relief from stress, and adequate nutrition to help protect liver cells from further damage and to allow the liver to regenerate functioning cells.

▪ Monitor and restrict dietary protein as needed.

▪ Give hepatotoxic drugs or drugs metabolized by the liver in very small doses, if at all.

Patient teaching

▪ Explain the underlying disorder and its treatments.

▪ Stress the importance of avoiding alcohol and people with infections.

▪ Discuss the importance of pacing activities and rest periods.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Jaundice [Icterus]: Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

▪ To decrease pruritus, frequently bathe the patient; apply an antipruritic lotion, such as calamine; and administer diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine.

▪ Prepare the patient for diagnostic tests to evaluate biliary and hepatic function, including laboratory studies (such as urine and fecal urobilinogen, serum bilirubin, liver enzyme, and cholesterol levels; prothrombin time; and a complete blood count), computed tomography, ultrasonography, cholangiography, liver biopsy, and exploratory laparotomy.

Patient teaching

▪ Teach the patient appropriate dietary changes.

▪ Discuss ways to reduce pruritis.

▪ Review with the patient prescribed medications and their possible adverse effects.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007

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