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The utility of biomarkers in prognosis assessment of patients with acute liver failure
Author(s) -
Clercq Pauline,
Geerts Anja,
Vlierberghe Hans,
Verhelst Xavier
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/hepr.13668
Subject(s) - medicine , liver transplantation , coagulopathy , hepatic encephalopathy , intensive care medicine , disease , biomarker , jaundice , work up , encephalopathy , liver failure , liver disease , transplantation , cirrhosis , biochemistry , chemistry
Background Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare but potential lethal condition characterized by the sudden development of jaundice, coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy in patients without underlying liver disease. In selected patients, emergency liver transplantation is required. Selection of these patients is based on clinical criteria such as the Kings College Criteria (KCC) or the Clichy criteria. Aims The aim of this work is to provide an overview of potential biomarkers that could improve the prognostic value of KCC. Results Several promising biomarkers involved in related pathophysiological processes have been identified. Some could be as stand‐alone biomarkers; however, the best prognostic values have been observed in the combination of biomarkers with current models. Among these, the ALFSG Index that combines clinical parameters and circulating blood levels of CK18 claims a higher prognostic value than KCC. Conclusions In this review, all potential biomarkers for ALF have been summarized to give an overview of the work performed over the last years, and a glimpse of what to expect in this field in the coming years.