Liver transplantation : official publication of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society
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Multicenter Study
Therapeutic hypothermia in acute liver failure: a multicenter retrospective cohort analysis.
The benefit of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in acute liver failure (ALF) has not been previously demonstrated in a controlled fashion. This study sought to determine the impact of TH on 21-day survival and complications in ALF patients at high risk for cerebral edema. This was a retrospective cohort study of ALF patients in the US Acute Liver Failure Study Group with grade III or IV hepatic encephalopathy. ⋯ In conclusion, TH in ALF was not associated with increased bleeding or infections. Although young APAP ALF patients may benefit, TH did not consistently affect 21-day survival. A prospective trial is required to clarify the utility of TH in ALF patients.