Place de la réanimation chez le cirrhotique

Abstract

In cirrhotic patients, liver insufficiency and portal hypertension represent a source of potentially life threatening complications, which may justify intensive care. In addition to specific complications (variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy and hepatorenal syndrome), cirrhosis is a condition which favors non-specific complications including severe bacterial infections and acute renal failure. Apart from these complications, cirrhosis is constantly associated with dysfunctions of several organs and systems (cardiocirculatory system, respiratory system, central nervous system, immune system and coagulation). When severe complications occur, dysfunctions of these organs and system can progress and lead to multi-organ failure. As a result, the prognosis of cirrhotics in intensive care units is poor. A major issue is to determine which patients should be admitted to intensive care. Different prognostic scores have been proposed but none is perfect. Practically, admission in an intensive care unit is justified in the absence of significant hepatic insufficiency or when hepatic insufficiency is reversible, when liver transplantation is possible, and in case of iatrogenic complications. In other conditions, mortality is close to 100% and intensive care may not be justified. Theoretically, the correction of hepatic insufficiency could help to improve the results of intensive care in cirrhotic patients. The tolerance and efficacy of artificial liver support systems (albumin dialysis and bioartificial liver) remain unclear. However, these systems offer attractive perspectives.