UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Critical Care

Title: Fluids and Acute Liver Failure

Keywords: jlactated Ringer's solution, dextrose, cerebral edema (PubMed Search)

Posted: 5/27/2008 by Mike Winters, MD (Updated: 4/23/2024)
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Fluids in Acute Liver Failure

Acute liver failure is often complicated by intravascular volume depletion - insensible losses, vomiting, poor oral intake
Early and adequate fluid resuscitation is mandatory
AVOID lactated Ringer's solution - exogenous lactate load is poorly tolerated by lack of hepatic function
AVOID dextrose containing water solutions - will lead to hyponatremia and increase the risk of cerebral edema

Auzinger G, Wendon J. Intensive care management of acute liver failure. Curr Opin Crit Care 2008;14:179-88.