AIM To investigate the changes of hemodynamic and laboratory parameters during the course of acute liver failure following acetaminophen overdose.METHODS Eight pigs underwent a midline laparotomy following jejunal catheter placement for further acetaminophen intoxication and positioning of a portal vein Doppler flow-probe. Acute liver failure was realized by intrajejunal acetaminophen administration in six animals, two animals were sham operated. All animals were invasively monitored and received standardized intensive care support throughout the study. Portal blood flow, hemodynamic and ventilation parameters were continuously recorded. Laboratory parameters were analysed every eight hours. Liver biopsies were sampled every 24 h following intoxication and upon autopsy.RESULTS Acute liver failure (ALF) occurred after 28 ± 5 h resulted in multiple organ failure and death despite maximal support after further 21 ± 1 h (study end). Portal blood flow (baseline 1100 ± 156 m L/min) increased to a maximum flow of 1873 ± 175 m L/min at manifestation of ALF, which was significantly elevated(P < 0.01). Immediately after peaking, portal flow declined rapidly to 283 ± 135 m L/min at study end. Thrombocyte values (baseline 307 × 103/μL± 34 × 103/μL) of intoxicated animals declined slowly to values of 145 × 103/μL± 46 × 103/μL when liver failure occurred. Subsequent appearance of severe thrombocytopenia in liver failure resulted in values of 11 × 103/μL± 3 × 103/μL preceding fatality within few hours which was significant(P > 0.01).CONCLUSION Declining portal blood flow and subsequent severe thrombocytopenia after acetaminophen intoxication precede fatality in a porcine acute liver failure model. AIM To investigate the changes of hemodynamic and laboratory parameters during the course of acute liver failure following acetaminophen overdose. METHODS Eight pigs underwent a midline laparotomy following jejunal catheter placement for acetaminophen intoxication and positioning of a portal vein Doppler flow-probe. was realized by intrajejunal acetaminophen administration in six animals, two animals were sham operated. All animals were infectedingly monitored and received calibratingly intensive care support throughout the study. Portal blood flow, hemodynamic and ventilation parameters were continuously recorded. Laboratory parameters were analyzed every eight hours . Liver biopsies were sampled every 24 h following intoxication and upon autopsy. RESULTS Acute liver failure (ALF) occurred after 28 ± 5 h resulted in multiple organ failure and death despite maximal support after further 21 ± 1 h (study end). Portal blood flow (baseline 1100 ± 156 m L / min) increa sel to a maximum flow of 1873 ± 175 m L / min at manifestation of ALF, which was significantly elevated (P <0.01). Immediately after peaking, portal flow rate rapidly to 283 ± 135 m L / min at study end. Thrombocyte values (baseline 307 × 103 / μL ± 34 × 103 / μL) of intoxicated animals decreased slowly to values ​​of 145 × 103 / μL ± 46 × 103 / μL when liver failure occurred. Subsequent appearance of severe thrombocytopenia in liver failure resulted in values ​​of 11 × 103 / μL ± 3 × 103 / μL preceding fatality within few hours which was significant (P> 0.01) .CONCLUSION Declining portal blood flow and subsequent severe thrombocytopenia after acetaminophen intoxication precede fatality in a porcine acute liver failure model.