Laboratory tests in liver failure

Laboratory tests of liver function are among most commonly ordered investigations. Interpretation of liver function tests requires analysis of metabolic and synthetic functions of the liver, with some parameters reflecting hepatocellular injury rather than measuring liver function per se. Laboratory liver function tests assist clinical assessment in identification of aetiology of liver failure, serial monitoring of disease progress, classifying severity and scoring systems, predicting deterioration and guidance to selection of candidates for liver resection, extracorporeal support devices and liver transplantation. An understanding of liver function tests is thus considered a basic scientific knowledge in providing clinical care in anaesthesia and critical care medicine.