People also usually have cardiac symptoms.

In most people, symptoms begin with sudden elevations in plasma aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase in their bloodwork. A doctor will likely repeat bloodwork over several days.

Exclusion of other causes of liver cell damage - for example, viral hepatitis or drug-induced hepatitis.ĭiagnosing this condition begins with bloodwork to check for signs of liver injury.

Tests that show an abrupt increase in serum aminotransferase, though this may be short-lived.

A doctor to suspect that a person has cardiac, circulatory, or respiratory failure.

They may also use imaging tests, such as an MRI, to identify blockages in the liver and their potential causes. Most people who develop shock liver have heart disease and a heart health event, such as heart surgery or a heart attack, that can precede the liver shock.Īccording to a 2021 review reporting on prior research, one study showed that 78.2% of participants with shock liver had a cardiac event prior to their diagnosis, with 23.4% experiencing sepsis and 52.9% having an episode of very low blood pressure.Ī doctor may suspect shock liver in someone with sudden symptoms of liver disease, especially if they have serious underlying illnesses.Ī doctor may order additional tests, such as a liver ultrasound, to rule out other potential causes of a person’s symptoms. It is a common cause of liver dysfunction in ICUs, accounting for about 2.5% of ICU admissions. People who develop shock liver are often already very ill and may be in the intensive care unit (ICU). Occasionally, shock liver may develop suddenly due to another acute illness, such as poisoning from medication or carbon monoxide.

damage to liver blood vessels during a liver transplant.

sickle cell crisis in a person with sickle cell disease.

Other conditions that may increase the risk include: This can limit blood flow to the liver, causing shock liver.

Therefore, when the heart is working poorly, the liver is also in danger. Shock liver can be a sign of a serious underlying illness - often heart disease or heart failure.Ībout 25% of the heart’s blood flow goes to the liver. Share on Pinterest CRISTINA PEDRAZZINI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images

The diagnosis of shock must include