Transplantation for acute-on-chronic liver failure

Abstract

Areview and discussion of the current literature on liver transplantation for acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) was performed. The ACLF represents an acute deterioration of liver function with pre-existing liver disease and is associated with increasing multiorgan failure, depending on the stage. The 28-day mortality ranges to well over 70% in stage3 and requires rapid intensive medical treatment involving an interdisciplinary team experienced in transplantation medicine. Under optimized conditions, liver transplantation provides long-term survival rates comparable to other indications. Achieving this requires adifferentiated donor selection, choosing the appropriate time for transplantation in the context of adynamic disease course and the use of appropriate surgical techniques.