Decompensated cirrhosis is defined as an acute deterioration in liver function in a patient with cirrhosis and is characterized by jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome or variceal haemorrhage.
Liver damage and severe scarring can progress to the point where the liver can no longer function properly and the patient will begin to experience more severe symptoms. Liver function will continue to decrease with the patient being more at risk for more severe complications like internal bleeding, liver cancer and liver failure and the need for liver transplant.
