Cardiomyopathy Associated Fulminant Hepatic Failure

Features of fulminant hepatic failure in the setting of a cardiomyopathy:

(1) presence of a cardiomyopathy

(2) presence of congestive hepatopathy

(3) acute hypotensive episode or significant reduction in cardiac output

(4) exclusion of other causes of fulminant hepatic failure

(5) usually the hepatic dysfunction resolves after successful management of the cardiomyopathy

It is important to exclude cirrhosis since hepatic failure can also be triggered in these patients by acute hypotension.