Pharmacology · Pathway 43
King's College Criteria
Key points
- King's College criteria identify paracetamol-induced liver failure patients needing liver transplant referral.
- Arterial pH < 7.3 after resuscitation (> 24 h post-ingestion), OR all three of: PT > 100 s (INR > 6.5) · creatinine > 300 µmol/l · grade III/IV encephalopathy.
- Lactate criteria also used (arterial lactate > 3.0–3.5 after fluid resuscitation).
Decision points in this pathway
- Arterial pH < 7.3 after resuscitation (> 24 h)?
- All three present?
The full step-by-step algorithm, including what to do at each branch, opens in the app for approved members.