Context

Acute liver failure is a rare presentation to emergency departments (EDs) in the UK, leading to around 400 admissions per year.

Paracetamol overdose accounts for approximately 60% of cases in the UK, whereas viral hepatitis is the most common cause worldwide. [1, 2]

Mortality is exceptionally high and ranges from 60-90%. Hyper acute presentation confers better prognosis with medical management whilst subacute cases have higher mortality without lover transplant.

Learning bite

Paracetamol is the commonest cause of acute liver failure in the Western world.