Comparison of terlipressin and norepinephrine on cerebral perfusion, intracranial pressure and cerebral concentrations of lactate and pyruvate in patients with acute liver failure: a microdialysis study

Volume expansion and inotropic support with catecholamines are often insufficient to ensure adequate blood pressure and cerebral blood flow in acute liver failure (ALF). The aim of this study was to determine whether terlipressin increases cerebral perfusion and to compare the effect with that of norepinephrine (NE). Furthermore, the effect on intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral concentrations of lactate and pyruvate were recorded.