Treatment strategies in both acute decompensation (AD) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF)

CharacteristicsTreatment
Underlying cause and acute triggering factorsCause-specific treatment
InfectionAntibacterial, antiviral, antifungal
CoagulopathyLMWH, DOACs, warfarin, platelet replacement, cryoprecipitate, FFP, 4-FPCC
Renal FailureFluid resuscitation, withdraw diuretics, albumin, vasoconstrictors, RRT
Hepatic encephalopathyLactulose/polyethylene glycol, L-ornithine L-aspartate/ornithine phenylacetate, rifaximin*, albumin*
Cardiovascular failureFluid resuscitation, albumin, vasopressors (norepinephrine, vasopressin), hydrocortisone
Respiratory failurePulmonary vasodilators (inhaled NO, epoprostenol), NIV, high-flow oxygen, MV
SarcopeniaNutrition
Liver failureLiver transplantation
Bridge treatmentsPlasma exchange, single-pass albumin dialysis, MARS, Prometheus
Next generation treatmentsG-CSF, MSC transplantation, TLR-4 inhibition, TAK-242, recombinant alkaline phosphatase, gDNA, emricasan, mitofusin-2, oxysterol sulfates, statin, NAC

* The roles of these treatments are unclear. DOACs: direct-acting anticoagulants; FFP: fresh frozen plasma; 4-FPCC: four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate; G-CSF: granulocyte colony stimulating factor; LMWH: low molecule weighed heparin; MARS: the molecular adsorbent recirculation system; MSC: mesenchymal stem cell; MV: mechanical ventilation; NAC: N-acetylcysteine; NIV: non-invasive ventilation; NO: nitric oxide; RRT: renal replacement therapy; TLR-4: Toll-like receptor 4