January 8
by Jonathan Downham
In this episode, I walk through the real-world critical care management of acute decompensated alcohol-related liver disease, using a high-risk ICU case to anchor the discussion. The focus is on understanding the underlying physiology—portal hypertension, rebalanced haemostasis, hepatic encephalopathy, infection, and hepatorenal syndrome—and translating that physiology into clear first-hour priorities at the bedside.
Listeners are guided through airway and circulatory decision-making, rational use of albumin, vasopressors, antibiotics, lactulose and rifaximin, and careful blood product transfusion, while avoiding common pitfalls such as reflexive FFP or over-resuscitation.
The episode emphasises early recognition of red flags, the central role of infection as a precipitant, and the interconnected nature of multi-organ failure in acute-on-chronic liver disease, all framed within pragmatic UK ICU practice.
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