Spontaneou S life-threatening hemobilia during a Cute liver failure Su CCeSSfully treated with tran Sarterial embolization

Acute liver failure is defined as a syndrome resulting from a massive and rapid impairment of all crucial liver functions in patients with previ­ ously unknown liver disease. The syndrome of acute liver failure in­ cludes signs directly related to the liver cell damage, altered liver func­ tion and the consequences on other organs. These manifestations essen­ tially include jaundice, elevated serum transaminase levels, encepha­ lopathy, coagulopathy, severe infec ­ tions, and renal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic disorders. The prognosis depends on the extent of the liver cell damage, the liver’s re ­ generative capacity, associated co ­ morbidities and possible therapeutic interventions as liver transplanta ­ tion. The first objective in the management of patients with acute liver failure is to maintain an optimal condition for liver regeneration together with taking the decision with appropriate timing for emer­ gency transplantation. Here, we present and discuss the case of an acute liver failure in a young patient who developed a rupture of the oesophagus and spontaneous massive hemobilia. Both these conditions were life ­ threatening but treated successfully, allowing a consecutive successful liver transplantation.