Acute Liver Injury and Failure

Acute liver injury and acute liver failure are syndromes characterized by a rapid loss of functional hepatocytes in a patient with no evidence of preexisting liver disease. A variety of inciting causes have been identified, including toxic, infectious, neoplastic, and drug-induced causes. This article reviews the pathophysiology and clinical approach to the acute liver injury/acute liver failure patient, with a particular emphasis on the diagnostic evaluation and care in the acute setting.