PROGNOSIS OF ACUTE FULMINANT HEPATIC FAILURE

TO ASSESS THE CAUSES AND PROGNOSIS OF ACUTE FULMINANT HEPATIC FAILURE IN PATIENTS ATTENDING MEDICAL UNIT I, GHULAM MOHAMMAD MAHAR MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL, SUKKUR.

Abstract

Acute fulminant hepatic failure (ALF) is a medical emergency and associated with high mortality rate. Its etiology shows
considerable geographical variations. The viral causes are the most common in our region, [whilst acetaminophen (Paracetamol) induced
hepatotoxicity forms the most common precipitant in many developed countries]. Objective: To assess the causes and prognosis of acute
fulminant hepatic failure in patients attending medical unit I, Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical college hospital, Sukkur. Study Design: A
cross-sectional study. Place of Study: Medical Unit-I, Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical College Hospital, Sukkur. Duration of Study: From
January 2010 to July 2011. Methodology: A total one hundred twenty (120) patients of ALF were studied during the study period to evaluate the
causes and prognosis. Those patients who were admitted during the study period were included in the study. The selected patients presented
with jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy of varying grades. Results: Almost all the cases the causative agents were viruses. Among these,
the hepatitis E virus (HEV) was the top most causative agent followed by hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in this study. Despite good effort of
conservative treatment, the mortality rate was 77.5%. The mortality rate was higher in grade-III and grade-IV encephalopathy patients,
whereas the prognosis is better in grade-1 and grade-II encephalopathy patients.