Reversal of liver failure in sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis

A severe but unusual complication of sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis is acute liver failure related to intrahepatic cholestasis. The outcome is usually fatal in adults. A case of reversible acute liver failure in a patient with s/beta+ thalassemia is reported. The patient was admitted to the inten...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of the medical sciences Vol. 311; no. 6; p. 292
Main Authors Betrosian, A, Balla, M, Kafiri, G, Palamarou, C, Sevastos, N
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.06.1996
Subjects
Acute Disease
Adult
Anti-Bacterial Agents
beta-Thalassemia - complications
Biopsy
Cholestasis, Intrahepatic - etiology
Combined Modality Therapy
Drug Therapy, Combination - therapeutic use
Erythrocyte Transfusion
Humans
Ischemia - etiology
Lactulose - therapeutic use
Liver - blood supply
Liver - pathology
Liver Circulation
Liver Failure - etiology
Liver Failure - therapy
Male
Plasma
Sickle Cell Trait - complications
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:A severe but unusual complication of sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis is acute liver failure related to intrahepatic cholestasis. The outcome is usually fatal in adults. A case of reversible acute liver failure in a patient with s/beta+ thalassemia is reported. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit because of major organ failure related to vascular occlusion phenomena. After blood-plasma transfusion and supportive therapy for acute liver failure, complete recovery was noted. A liver biopsy performed at the stage of recovery was compatible with intrahepatic cholestasis and sickling. Even though patients with s/beta+ thalassemia usually manifest milder symptoms, they rarely develop major organ failure such as acute liver failure.
ISSN:0002-9629
DOI:10.1097/00000441-199606000-00012