Chronic Liver Failure

Cells in the liver. Functions in health and disease.- Physiology of liver function.- Assessment of liver function in clinical practice.- Physiology of the splanchnic and hepatic circulations.- Fibrosis as main mechanism of chronic liver disease.- Stem cells in the liver.- The role of inflammatory mediators in liver failure.- Genomics of the liver in health and disease.- Hepatic encephalopathy and alterations of cerebral function.- Bacterial translocation and alterations of the digestive system.- SIRS, bacterial infections and alterations of the immune system.- Extracellular fluid volume regulation and renal function.- The heart in chronic liver failure.- Hemostasis abnormalities in chronic liver failure.- The systemic and splanchnic circulations.- Liver microcirculation.- Angiogenesis in liver diseases.- Pulmonary alterations in chronic liver failure.- Adrenal function in chronic liver failure.- Antibiotic prophylaxis and management of bacterial infections.- Management of ascites and hyponatremia.- Management of renal failure.- Therapy of Hemostasis abnormalities in chronic liver failure.- Prevention and management of gastrointestinal bleeding.- Extracorporeal artificial liver support systems.- Issues in transplantation of patients with chronic liver failure.- Management of chronic liver failure in the intensive care unit.