Fulminant hepatic failure (HP_0004448) can be described as follows. Hepatic failure refers to the inability of the liver to perform its normal synthetic and metabolic functions, which can result in coagulopathy and alteration in the mental status of a previously healthy individual. Hepatic failure is defined as fulminant if there is onset of encephalopathy within 4 weeks of the onset of symptoms in a patient with a previously healthy liver.