Prevention and management of brain edema in patients with acute liver failure.

1. Intracranial pressure is the pressure exerted by the cranial contents on the dural envelope and consists of the partial pressures of the brain, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid. 2. Severe cases of acute liver failure are frequently complicated by brain edema (due to cytotoxic edema) and an increase in cerebral blood flow while the cerebrospinal fluid volume remains constant. 3. The development of intracranial hypertension in patients with acute liver failure may be controlled by manipulation of the position, body temperature, plasma tonicity, arterial carbon dioxide tension, and arterial pressure. 4. If intracranial hypertension evolves despite these first-tier interventions, increased sedation, induction of hypothermia (body temperature of 33 degrees C to 34 degrees C), and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs may help secure brain viability.