Adrian Reuben, MBBS, division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, and colleagues conducted an observational cohort study of 2,070 consecutively enrolled patients with acute liver failure at 31 transplant centers in the United States from 1998 to 2005 and 2006 to 2013.
Here are four points:
1. Results showed that 21-day survival rates increased between the two time periods in terms of overall survival, transplant-free survival and post-transplantation survival.
2. The researchers reported decreases in the use of vasopressors, mechanical ventilation, plasma infusions and blood infusions and increases in the use of N-acetylcysteine overall.
3. Dr. Reuben and colleagues found that disease severity, overall clinical characteristics and cause distribution was similar in both periods.
4. Acute liver failure affects 2,000 patients annually in the United States.
More articles on GI & endoscopy:
Gastroenterologist to know: Dr. John T. Lamont of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Gastroenterologist to know: Dr. Samir Gupta of University of California San Diego
5 most read GI/endoscopy stories: Week of March 28 – April 1
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
