Best practice & research. Clinical gastroenterology
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Acute liver failure is a remarkably rare syndrome, the result of rapid hepatocyte injury occurring over days or a few weeks, and encompassing multiple etiologies, but all with a remarkably similar clinical picture. The clinical features of coagulopathy and encephalopathy characterize this severe and often fatal condition. To date, transplantation has been the only reliable form of rescue for many patients. ⋯ Few controlled clinical trials have been possible because of the condition's rarity. Critical care of these rare patients is key to their survival and decisions must be made decisively, sometimes with inadequate information. Experience is helpful but experienced clinician managers are even rarer than the disease: few hepatologists or intensivists have in-depth experience with ALF patients.