Acute-on-chronic liver failure: definition, diagnosis, and pathogenesis

Abstract

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a form of complex syndrome with acute deterioration of liver function that occurs on the basis of chronic liver disease, and is accompanied by hepatic and extrahepatic organ failure with high mortality rate. The short-term mortality rate of comprehensive internal medicine treatment is as high as 50%-90%. This paper summarizes the current common definitions and diagnostic criteria, early-warning prediction models, and pathogenesis of ACLF.