Abstract

GARCIA DE LORENZO Y MATEOS, A.  and  RODRIGUEZ MONTES, J. A.. Hepatotoxicity in the critically ill patient: The liver under an acute severe insult. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2008, vol.23, suppl.2, pp.19-24. ISSN 1699-5198.

The liver plays an essential role in the metabolism of most of the nutrients since it is a mainly metabolic organ carrying out a series of physiological and metabolic processes related with protein and energy metabolism. The intestinal tract is considered a key element in the development of Multiorgan Dysfunction (MOD) or failure by loosing its barrier function (impaired permeability) against toxins, bio-products and occsaionally intraluminal bacteria secondary to hypoxia, one of the main pathopysiogenic mechanisms being the insufficient blood flow to splacnic organs. Liver dysfunction and/or impairment of liver function test are a common event in critically ill patients. They may be due to previous liver cirrhosis or to more immedite causes of liver failure such as sepsis, drugs, liver transplant or any of the multiple etiologies for hepatitis.

Keywords : Liver; Dysfunction; Injury.

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