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Lal BB, Khanna R, Sood V, Alam S, Nagral A, Ravindranath A, Kumar A, Deep A, Gopan A, Srivastava A, Maria A, Pawaria A, Bavdekar A, Sindwani G, Panda K, Kumar K, Sathiyasekaran M, Dhaliwal M, Samyn M, Peethambaran M, Sarma MS, Desai MS, Mohan N, Dheivamani N, Upadhyay P, Kale P, Maiwall R, Malik R, Koul RL, Pandey S, Ramakrishna SH, Yachha SK, Lal S, Shankar S, Agarwal S, Deswal S, Malhotra S, Borkar V, Gautam V, Sivaramakrishnan VM, Dhawan A, Rela M, Sarin SK. Diagnosis and management of pediatric acute liver failure: consensus recommendations of the Indian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ISPGHAN). Hepatol Int 2024:10.1007/s12072-024-10720-3. [PMID: 39212863 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-024-10720-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Timely diagnosis and management of pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is of paramount importance to improve survival. The Indian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition invited national and international experts to identify and review important management and research questions. These covered the definition, age appropriate stepwise workup for the etiology, non-invasive diagnosis and management of cerebral edema, prognostic scores, criteria for listing for liver transplantation (LT) and bridging therapies in PALF. Statements and recommendations based on evidences assessed using the modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system were developed, deliberated and critically reappraised by circulation. The final consensus recommendations along with relevant published background information are presented here. We expect that these recommendations would be followed by the pediatric and adult medical fraternity to improve the outcomes of PALF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikrant Bihari Lal
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Rajeev Khanna
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Vikrant Sood
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, 110070, India
| | - Seema Alam
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, 110070, India.
| | - Aabha Nagral
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jaslok Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai, India
- Apollo Hospital, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Aathira Ravindranath
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Apollo BGS Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Aditi Kumar
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Akash Deep
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Amrit Gopan
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sir H.N Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Anshu Srivastava
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Arjun Maria
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Institute of Child Health, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Arti Pawaria
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, India
| | - Ashish Bavdekar
- Department of Pediatrics, KEM Hospital and Research Centre, Pune, India
| | - Gaurav Sindwani
- Department of Organ Transplant Anesthesia and Critical Care, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Kalpana Panda
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneshwar, India
| | - Karunesh Kumar
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Maninder Dhaliwal
- Department of Pediatric Intensive Care, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, India
| | - Marianne Samyn
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Maya Peethambaran
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi, Kerala, India
| | - Moinak Sen Sarma
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Moreshwar S Desai
- Department of Paediatric Critical Care and Liver ICU, Baylor College of Medicine &Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Neelam Mohan
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medanta the Medicity Hospital, Gurugram, India
| | - Nirmala Dheivamani
- Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Egmore, Chennai, India
| | - Piyush Upadhyay
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Pratibha Kale
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakhi Maiwall
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rohan Malik
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Roshan Lal Koul
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Snehavardhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Sahyadri Superspeciality Hospital Pvt Ltd Pune, Pune, India
| | | | - Surender Kumar Yachha
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Sakra World Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - Sadhna Lal
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Sahana Shankar
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Centre, Narayana Health City, Bangalore, India
| | - Sajan Agarwal
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gujarat Gastro Hospital, Surat, Gujarat, India
| | - Shivani Deswal
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplant, Narayana Health, DLF Phase 3, Gurugram, India
| | - Smita Malhotra
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, India
| | - Vibhor Borkar
- Department of Paediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vipul Gautam
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Max Superspeciality Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Anil Dhawan
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Mohamed Rela
- Department of Liver Transplantation and HPB (Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary) Surgery, Dr. Rela Institute & Medical Center, Chennai, India
| | - Shiv Kumar Sarin
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Jerome RN, Zahn LA, Abner JJ, Joly MM, Shirey-Rice JK, Wallis RS, Bernard GR, Pulley JM. Repurposing N-acetylcysteine for management of non-acetaminophen induced acute liver failure: an evidence scan from a global health perspective. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 9:2. [PMID: 38317753 PMCID: PMC10838616 DOI: 10.21037/tgh-23-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The World Health Organization (WHO)'s Essential Medicines List (EML) plays an important role in advocating for access to key treatments for conditions affecting people in all geographic settings. We applied our established drug repurposing methods to one EML agent, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), to identify additional uses of relevance to the global health community beyond its existing EML indication (acetaminophen toxicity). Methods We undertook a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) of a variant in the glutathione synthetase (GSS) gene in approximately 35,000 patients to explore novel indications for use of NAC, which targets glutathione. We then evaluated the evidence regarding biologic plausibility, efficacy, and safety of NAC use in the new phenotype candidates. Results PheWAS of GSS variant R418Q revealed increased risk of several phenotypes related to non-acetaminophen induced acute liver failure (ALF), indicating that NAC may represent a therapeutic option for treating this condition. Evidence review identified practice guidelines, systematic reviews, clinical trials, retrospective cohorts and case series, and case reports. This evidence suggesting benefit of NAC use in this subset of ALF patients. The safety profile of NAC in this literature was also concordant with existing evidence on safety of this agent in acetaminophen-induced ALF. Conclusions This body of literature indicates efficacy and safety of NAC in non-acetaminophen induced ALF. Given the presence of NAC on the EML, this medication is likely to be available across a range of resource settings; promulgating its use in this novel subset of ALF can provide healthcare professionals and patients with a valuable and safe complement to supportive care for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca N. Jerome
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Laura A. Zahn
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jessica J. Abner
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Meghan M. Joly
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jana K. Shirey-Rice
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Gordon R. Bernard
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jill M. Pulley
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Nashville, TN, USA
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Spence EE, Shwetz S, Ryan L, Anton N, Joffe AR. Non-Intentional N-Acetylcysteine Overdose Associated with Cerebral Edema and Brain Death. Case Rep Gastroenterol 2023; 17:96-103. [PMID: 36778785 PMCID: PMC9909444 DOI: 10.1159/000529169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
N-acetylcysteine is the established treatment for acetaminophen toxicity. This medication's complex dosing schedule engenders a high incidence of medication errors. While nuisance side effects are common, only rare case reports describe serious outcomes associated with N-acetylcysteine administration, all of which take place in the setting of non-intentional N-acetylcysteine overdose. This case report contributes to a small but growing literature that suggests that large N-acetylcysteine overdose may have devastating outcomes. We describe a 15-year-old female who presented with stage III acetaminophen toxicity and who received a non-intentional 6-fold overdose of intravenous N-acetylcysteine due to a medication prescribing error. During the N-acetylcysteine infusion dosing error, the patient had clinical deterioration including seizure followed by cerebral edema and brain herniation that progressed to brain death. She developed agitation and worsening headache within 2 h of the dosing error, which progressed to seizure and intubation 14 h into the dosing error. Although possibly due to hepatic encephalopathy, at the time she developed fixed dilated pupils, her lactate, international normalized ratio, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase had all improved. On review of the literature, other case reports of seizures (n = 4) and cerebral edema with brain herniation (n = 3) were found, suggesting our patient was not an isolated case. Clinicians need to be aware of the common occurrence of dosing errors for N-acetylcysteine infusions. We suggest institutions review their N-acetylcysteine ordering, dosing, and mixing protocols in order to avoid similar rare errors in the future. Iatrogenic overdose of N-acetylcysteine can cause seizure, cerebral edema, and brain death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma E.M. Spence
- Internal Medicine Residency Program, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sey Shwetz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Lauren Ryan
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta and Stollery Children’s Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Natalie Anton
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta and Stollery Children’s Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ari R. Joffe
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta and Stollery Children’s Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Kim JD. [Acute Liver Failure: Current Updates and Management]. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY = TAEHAN SOHWAGI HAKHOE CHI 2023; 81:17-28. [PMID: 36695063 DOI: 10.4166/kjg.2022.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare disease condition with a dynamic clinical course and catastrophic outcomes. Several etiologies are involved in ALF. Hepatitis A and B infections and indiscriminate use of untested herbs or supplemental agents are the most common causes of ALF in Korea. Noninvasive neurological monitoring tools have been used in patients with ALF in recent times. Ongoing improvements in intensive care, including continuous renal replacement therapy, therapeutic plasma exchange, vasopressor, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, have reduced the mortality rate of patients with ALF. However, liver transplantation is still the most effective treatment for patients with intractable ALF. There is a need for further research in the areas of better prognostication and precise selection of patients for emergency transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Dong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cheju Halla General Hospital, Jeju, Korea
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Benić MS, Nežić L, Vujić-Aleksić V, Mititelu-Tartau L. Novel Therapies for the Treatment of Drug-Induced Liver Injury: A Systematic Review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:785790. [PMID: 35185538 PMCID: PMC8847672 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.785790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many drugs with different mechanisms of action and indications available on the market today are capable of inducing hepatotoxicity. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has been a treatment challenge nowadays as it was in the past. We searched Medline (via PubMed), CENTRAL, Science Citation Index Expanded, clinical trials registries and databases of DILI and hepatotoxicity up to 2021 for novel therapies for the management of adult patients with DILI based on the combination of three main search terms: 1) treatment, 2) novel, and 3) drug-induced liver injury. The mechanism of action of novel therapies, the potential of their benefit in clinical settings, and adverse drug reactions related to novel therapies were extracted. Cochrane Risk of bias tool and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment approach was involved in the assessment of the certainty of the evidence for primary outcomes of included studies. One thousand three hundred seventy-two articles were identified. Twenty-eight articles were included in the final analysis. Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were detected and for six the available data were sufficient for analysis. In abstract form only we found six studies which were also anaylzed. Investigated agents included: bicyclol, calmangafodipir, cytisin amidophospate, fomepizole, livina-polyherbal preparation, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG), picroliv, plasma exchange, radix Paeoniae Rubra, and S-adenosylmethionine. The primary outcomes of included trials mainly included laboratory markers improvement. Based on the moderate-certainty evidence, more patients treated with MgIG experienced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization compared to placebo. Low-certainty evidence suggests that bicyclol treatment leads to a reduction of ALT levels compared to phosphatidylcholine. For the remaining eight interventions, the certainty of the evidence for primary outcomes was assessed as very low and we are very uncertain in any estimate of effect. More effort should be involved to investigate the novel treatment of DILI. Well-designed RCTs with appropriate sample sizes, comparable groups and precise, not only surrogate outcomes are urgently welcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Stanić Benić
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Lana Nežić
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Vesna Vujić-Aleksić
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- The Republic of Srpska Agency for Certification, Accreditation and Quality Improvement in Health Care, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Wang ML, Yin XJ, Li XL, Wang FD, Zhou J, Tao YC, Wang YH, Wu DB, Chen EQ. Retrospective Analysis of the Clinical Efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine in the Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:724224. [PMID: 34422872 PMCID: PMC8375028 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.724224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) has a high mortality due to severe intrahepatic cholestasis and coagulation dysfunction, thus new treatment measures are urgently needed to improve the therapeutic effect. This study aimed to observe the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the treatment of HBV-ACLF. Methods: The data of patients with HBV-ACLF admitted to West China Hospital from October 2019 to August 2020 were collected retrospectively, and they were divided into treatment group and control group according to whether they had received additional NAC treatment. The improvement of biochemistry, coagulation function and disease severity score after 14 days of hospitalization were analyzed between two groups. Results: A total of 90 HBV-ACLF patients were included, including 42 patients in treatment group and 48 patients in control group. Compared with baseline, serum TBil, DBil, TBA, GGT and ALP in two groups both decreased significantly, while PTA increased significantly. Interesting, the decrease of serum TBil, DBil and TBA and the increase of PTA in treatment group were all significantly than these in control group. Additionally, more patients in treatment group than control group changed from CTP grade C to grade B. Subgroup analysis of CTP grade C patients showed that the decrease of serum TBil, DBil and TBA and the increase of PTA in treatment group were significantly than these in control group. Conclusion: The NAC treatment may help to improve intrahepatic cholestasis and coagulation dysfunction of HBV-ACLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Lan Wang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiu-Jun Yin
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xue-Lian Li
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fa-Da Wang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ya-Chao Tao
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong-Hong Wang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dong-Bo Wu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - En-Qiang Chen
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Siu JT, Nguyen T, Turgeon RD. N-acetylcysteine for non-paracetamol (acetaminophen)-related acute liver failure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 12:CD012123. [PMID: 33294991 PMCID: PMC8095024 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012123.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute liver failure is a rare and serious disease. Acute liver failure may be paracetamol-induced or non-paracetamol-induced. Acute liver failure not caused by paracetamol (acetaminophen) has a poor prognosis with limited treatment options. N-acetylcysteine has been successful in treating paracetamol-induced acute liver failure and reduces the risk of needing to undergo liver transplantation. Recent randomised clinical trials have explored whether the benefit can be extrapolated to treat non-paracetamol-related acute liver failure. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2011 guideline suggested that N-acetylcysteine could improve spontaneous survival when given during early encephalopathy stages for patients with non-paracetamol-related acute liver failure. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of N-acetylcysteine compared with placebo or no N-acetylcysteine, as an adjunct to usual care, in people with non-paracetamol-related acute liver failure. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register (searched 25 June 2020), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2020, Issue 6) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 25 June 2020), Embase Ovid (1974 to 25 June 2020), Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Information database (LILACS) (1982 to 25 June 2020), Science Citation Index Expanded (1900 to 25 June 2020), and Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science (1990 to 25 June 2020). SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised clinical trials that compared N-acetylcysteine at any dose or route with placebo or no intervention in participants with non-paracetamol-induced acute liver failure. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures as described in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We conducted meta-analyses and presented results using risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We quantified statistical heterogeneity by calculating I2. We assessed bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and determined the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS We included two randomised clinical trials: one with 183 adults and one with 174 children (birth through age 17 years). We classified both trials at overall high risk of bias. One unregistered study in adults is awaiting classification while we are awaiting responses from study authors for details on trial methodology (e.g. randomisation processes). We did not meta-analyse all-cause mortality because of significant clinical heterogeneity in the two trials. For all-cause mortality at 21 days between adults receiving N-acetylcysteine versus placebo, there was inconclusive evidence of effect (N-acetylcysteine 24/81 (29.6%) versus placebo 31/92 (33.7%); RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.37; low certainty evidence). The certainty of the evidence was low due to risk of bias and imprecision. Similarly, for all-cause mortality at one year between children receiving N-acetylcysteine versus placebo, there was inconclusive evidence of effect (25/92 (27.2%) versus 17/92 (18.5%); RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.53; low certainty evidence). We downgraded the certainty of evidence due to very serious imprecision. We did not meta-analyse serious adverse events and liver transplantation at one year due to incomplete reporting and clinical heterogeneity. For liver transplantation at 21 days in the trial with adults, there was inconclusive evidence of effect (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.06; low certainty evidence). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence due to serious risk of bias and imprecision. For liver transplantation at one year in the trial with children, there was inconclusive evidence of effect (RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.81; low certainty of evidence). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence due to very serious imprecision. There was inconclusive evidence of effect on serious adverse events in the trial with children (RR 1.25, 95% CI 0.35 to 4.51; low certainty evidence). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence due to very serious imprecision. We did not meta-analyse non-serious adverse events due to clinical heterogeneity. There was inconclusive evidence of effect on non-serious adverse events in adults (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.45; 173 participants; low certainty of evidence) and children (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.62 to 2.16; 184 participants; low certainty of evidence). None of the trials reported outcomes of proportion of participants with resolution of encephalopathy and coagulopathy or health-related quality of life. The National Institute of Health in the United States funded both trials through grants. One of the trials received additional funding from two hospital foundations' grants. Pharmaceutical companies provided the study drug and matching placebo, but they did not have input into study design nor involvement in analysis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The available evidence is inconclusive regarding the effect of N-acetylcysteine compared with placebo or no N-acetylcysteine, as an adjunct to usual care, on mortality or transplant rate in non-paracetamol-induced acute liver failure. Current evidence does not support the guideline suggestion to use N-acetylcysteine in adults with non-paracetamol-related acute liver failure, nor the rising use observed in clinical practice. The uncertainty based on current scanty evidence warrants additional randomised clinical trials with non-paracetamol-related acute liver failure evaluating N-acetylcysteine versus placebo, as well as investigations to identify predictors of response and the optimal N-acetylcysteine dose and duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacky Tp Siu
- Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services, Fraser Health Authority, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Ricky D Turgeon
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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