Acute on chronic liver failure: Are we ready to predict?

Abstract

The characterisation of the concept of acute on chronic liver failure[ACLF] is probably one of the most exciting changes occurred in the field of hepatology in the past 3-5 years. The main features associated to this newly defined syndrome are its frequency [one-third of patients admitted to the hospital due to acutely decompensated cirrhosis], its severity [up to 78% 30-day mortality] and its pathogenic association to systemic inflammation.