[Abnormal liver function tests in the intensive care unit]

Abnormal liver biochemical and function tests are found in the majority of critically ill patients and are associated with increased mortality. Frequent causes for elevated liver function tests in the intensive care unit (ICU) are acute hepatic dysfunction due to acute hepatitis, acute liver failure (ALF), and drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Furthermore, exacerbations of pre-existing liver diseases (acute on chronic) and secondary liver injury during critical diseases such as sepsis, right heart failure, or cardiogenic shock, resulting in ischemic or hypoxic hepatitis, need to be considered. Elevated liver enzymes may also reflect a complication of ICU treatment measures like drug-related hepatotoxicity, secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients (SC-CIP), or related to parenteral nutrition. Comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is essential to identify the underlying etiology of abnormal liver function tests and to initiate the appropriate therapeutic strategies.