Subacute Hepatic Failure
134-137
Correspondence
Dr.Kora.S.A
‘Shailaja Nilaya’, Mahaveer Road
BAGALKOT- 587 101
(Karnataka-India)
e-mail: shreeramkora@yahoo.co.in
Subacute hepatic failure (SAHF) had been recognized and reported from India in 1982, but until now, there has been no precise definition of the disease or the description of its nomenclature, clinical and pathological factors, aetiology, diagnosis and its management.
So, we have analyzed all the material which was available for over 30 years and have summarized a few points.
a) Poor regeneration of hepatocytes is the main pathogenesis of this disease.
b) Viral hepatitis, including hepatitis ‘E’, is the main aetiology of SAHF.
c) Ascites is the cardinal feature of this disease and it occurs in the 4th or 5th decade.
d) Liver biopsy shows submassive or bridging necrosis and plasma fibronectin levels are low.
e) The mortality is upto 70% when treated medically and the best available treatment is liver transplantation.
f) Renal failure indicates a bad prognosis.
It can be concluded that it requires further case studies and research to define the disease and to describe its nomenclature, aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, prognostic factors, investigation and management in the coming years.