Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of oral versus intravenous mixed-micellar phylloquinone (vitamin K1) in severe acute liver disease.

Background/aims: In patients with severe acute liver dysfunction, i.v. phylloquinone (vitamin K1) may be given to exclude vitamin K deficiency, rather than impaired hepatic synthesis of coagulation factors alone, as the cause of the coagulopathy.

Liver transplantation in New Zealand: the first four years.

Aim: To summarise the transplant-related activity of the New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit over the first four years.

Methods: The records of all patients assessed for liver transplantation between 1 December 1997 and 30 December 2001 were examined. Listing criteria, demographics, waiting time, transplant-hospitalisation details and long-term outcome for those who underwent liver transplantation were recorded.