Hepatic disorders

This chapter discusses hepatic disorders and includes discussion on jaundice, acute liver failure (including discussion on liver transplantation and liver support systems), hepatic encephalopathy (and management of hepatic encephalopathy in acute and chronic liver failure), chronic liver failure (and management of decompensated cirrhosis on the intensive care unit), and abnormal liver function tests. The epidemiology, diagnosis (including history and examination findings), investigations, and management of different types of liver failure are discussed in the relevant sections; in addition, a detailed section on biochemistry is included which discusses the background and interpretation of ‘standard’ laboratory tests of liver function, as well as dynamic tests.