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Hepatobiliary SurgeryDiagnostic

Acute Liver Failure - Transplant Criteria (King's College)

Acute Liver Failure - Transplant Criteria (King's College): Acute Liver Failure → Initial Management → Etiology → Acetaminophen ALF → APAP - King's Crit...

Interactive Decision Tree

Mini Map

Algorithm Steps

  1. Start

    Acute Liver Failure

    INR ≥1.5 + encephalopathy, no prior liver disease, <26 weeks

    1. Action

      Initial Management

      ICU admission, supportive care

      • NAC if acetaminophen suspected
      • ICP monitoring if grade 3-4 HE
      • Coagulopathy management
      • Etiology workup
      1. Decision

        Etiology

        • Acetaminophen (APAP)
        • Non-Acetaminophen (viral, autoimmune, drug, etc.)
        1. Action

          Acetaminophen ALF

          King's APAP criteria

          1. Decision

            APAP - King's Criteria

            • pH <7.30 after resuscitation
            • OR all 3: INR >6.5, Cr >3.4, Grade 3-4 HE
            1. Action

              Meets Transplant Criteria

              List for emergency transplant

              • UNOS Status 1A listing
              • Evaluate for contraindications
              • Bridge therapies if needed
              1. Action

                Liver Transplant

                When organ available

                1. End

                  Outcome

                  Post-transplant care or recovery management

            2. Action

              Does Not Meet Criteria

              Continue supportive care, reassess

              • Serial labs q6-12h
              • May still need transplant if deteriorates
              • Some recover spontaneously
              1. Action

                Spontaneous Recovery

                Monitor for complications

        2. Action

          Non-Acetaminophen ALF

          King's non-APAP criteria

          1. Decision

            Non-APAP - King's Criteria

            • INR >6.5 regardless of HE grade
            • OR 3 of 5: Age <10 or >40, non-A/non-B hepatitis, drug toxicity, jaundice >7d before HE, INR >3.5, Bili >17.5

Guideline Source

AASLD Position Paper: Management of Acute Liver Failure

Clinical Safety Information

Clinical Decision Support — Not a Substitute for Clinical Judgment

Individual patient factors may require deviation from these recommendations.

Known Limitations

  • King's criteria developed for acetaminophen - may differ for other etiologies
  • Some patients recover without transplant despite meeting criteria
  • Transplant availability affects utility
  • MELD may complement but not replace King's

Applicable Regions

USAUUKEU

EU: EASL acute liver failure guidelines

UK: King's College original criteria

US: AASLD guidelines, UNOS listing

Version 1Next review: 2028-01-01

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Acute Liver Failure - Transplant Criteria (King's College)?

The Acute Liver Failure - Transplant Criteria (King's College) is a diagnostic clinical algorithm for Hepatobiliary Surgery. It provides a structured decision tree to guide clinical decision-making, based on AASLD Position Paper: Management of Acute Liver Failure.

What guideline is the Acute Liver Failure - Transplant Criteria (King's College) based on?

This algorithm is based on AASLD Position Paper: Management of Acute Liver Failure (DOI: 10.1002/hep.31238).

What are the limitations of the Acute Liver Failure - Transplant Criteria (King's College)?

Known limitations include: King's criteria developed for acetaminophen - may differ for other etiologies; Some patients recover without transplant despite meeting criteria; Transplant availability affects utility; MELD may complement but not replace King's. Individual patient factors may require deviation from these recommendations.

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