Heavy chronic alcohol abuse has no additional adverse effect on the function of extrahepatic organs and ICU mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis

Background and aims: We questioned whether heavy chronic alcohol abuse infl uences extrahepatic organ failure and ICY mortality in cirrhotic patients a dmitted to a medical intensive care unit. Patients and methods: Medical records of 208 consecutive cirrhotic critical ly ill patients were reviewed. Patients were classified into two groups. Gr oup A comprised 144 patients with liver cirrhosis due to heavy chronic alco hol abuse and group B, 64 patients with liver cirrhosis due to non-alcoholi c causes. The presence of extrahepatic organ failures in patients of bath g roups was assessed with parameters determined on the day of admission to th e ICU. Furthermore, ICU mortality was determined. Results: The occurrence of extrahepatic organ failure was similar in group A and group B (83% vs. 80%; p = NS). The rate of extrahepatic organ failure was 1.7 +/- 1.2 organs in group A, compared to 1.4 +/- 1 organs in group B (p = NS). ICU mortality was 53% in group A and 44% in group B (p = NS). An increase in the number of extrahepatic organ failures was associated with a concomitant increase in ICU mortality in both groups of patients. Conclusion: The occurrence of extrahepatic organ failure and ICU mortality was not different between patients with liver cirrhosis secondary to heavy chronic alcohol abuse and patients with liver cirrhosis due to nonalcoholic causes. Cirrhotic patients should be admitted to a medical intensive care unit for extended intensive care treatment prior to the occurrence of extra hepatic multiple organ failure, independent of the underlying aetiology.