Liver Failure.

The Foundation is supporting research into the changes from normal function - physical, and biochemical - which form the basis of two conditions, one known as Acute Liver Failure (ALF), the other Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). In both, the rapid deterioration of liver function results in encephalopathy – an alteration in the mental status of an affected individual. Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) - one of the commonest reasons for an acute admission to hospital - describes patients with previously well-compensated chronic liver disease (ie with a liver functioning reasonably well) in whom liver function deteriorates acutely following a precipitating event such as a septic infection, an upper gastrointestinal bleeding, ischemia or an additional liver injury due to alcohol, hepatotoxic drugs or viral hepatitis. ACLF is characterised by multiorgan failure that has the potential for reversibility if the patient’s liver failure can be temporarily supported. ALF in contrast is a rare condition. It can be either fulminant (occurring suddenly) or subfulminant (late-onset in the course of the illness) and it often affects young people and carries a very high mortality.

Earlier identification of patients having a rapid deterioration in liver function may allow intervention with treatments which could interrupt the deterioration in their condition and/or support their liver function.