Liver Failure | Houston, Texas USA |

Liver failure or fulminant hepatic failure is a condition where a person with no preexisting liver disease develops severe liver dysfunction over a matter of days or weeks. Fulminant liver failure is associated with a high mortality rate and is a clear indication for liver transplantation.

The cause of liver failure is quite varied but includes medications, certain infections, trauma, alcohol, disruptions in proper flow of blood to the liver, and unfortunately, there are causes of liver failure that never had a clear identifiable cause.

Patients with liver failure rapidly develop abnormal liver chemistries associated with signs of liver insufficiency associated with the development of ascites [fluid in the abdomen], fatigue, abdominal pain, and most importantly, the development of hepatic encephalopathy, which is a confusion state that is associated with severe liver dysfunction.

Patients with suspected liver failure need to be transferred immediately to a liver center specializing in transplantation where the best therapies can be offered.

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Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease

Obesity, and all of its related complications, is more serious than most adults in America believe. More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and certain types of cancer, are some of the leading causes of preventable death. We are seeing an increase in the number of young children and adolescents developing obesity, and all of the related complications.

The cost of obesity is staggering, with annual medical cost of obesity exceeding $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars. The medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.

Dr. Galati and the Liver Specialists of Texas team are dedicated to evaluate, treat, and manage all aspects of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD and NASH), including the complication of cirrhosis and liver failure. Developing a customized plan of care for each patient they see is their objective.

Liver Transplant Resources

Dr. Galati has been involved in Liver Transplantation since 1989. As Medical Director for the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation at Houston Methodist Hospital, Dr. Galati has cared for thousands of patients with advanced liver disease. In those with the most severe form of advanced liver disease and cirrhosis, liver transplantation is a life-saving surgery. For more information on liver transplantation, click here.

Indications for liver transplant include:

Online LIVER Second Opinion

1

From the comfort of your home, without the need to spend additional money on travel, lodging, and food, receive and expert second opinion from the expert physicians at Liver Specialists of Texas
2

There are five steps in the process of requesting a second opinion. We anticipate the steps will take you about 30-65 minutes to complete.
3

Have your medical records or those of your loved one on hand as you fill out the medical history questionnaire portion of the online process. The medical history questionnaire is detailed so having medical records to quickly reference will help make the process more efficient.
4

To start the process of an Online Liver Second Opinion, please fill out the initial contact form and fax back to our office. A representative from our office will call you for additional details.