急性肝衰竭是一種罕見但嚴重的臨床症候群，其症候預後多為不佳，且高死亡率的疾病。其主要特徵為沒有肝臟疾病的人，其肝機能突然喪失，並造成身體許多器官與系統的影響。造成急性肝衰竭可歸因於藥物使用不當、病毒感染或其他原因。急性肝衰竭患者在快速診斷與適當的醫護處置，重症加護醫療和肝移植已可降低死亡率。平時應審慎使用藥物、慢性肝炎患者應定期追踪檢查，可避免急性肝衰竭的發生。

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare and high mortality disease that condition characterized by the abrupt onset of severe liver injury and affecting many organ systems. The causes of ALF vary-it can be attributed to drugs, viruses, and other uncommon sources. Successful care of the ALF patient begins with early diagnosis and triage to the appropriate level of care where a multitude of specialties are required to work together to maximize the chance of recovery. With advances in critical care medicine and emergent liver transplant, ALF mortality rates have gradually decreased. (J Intern Med Taiwan 2018; 29: 292-304)