Causes. Acute liver failure is most often caused by infectious agents or toxins, poor flow of fluids into the liver and surrounding tissues (perfusion), hypoxia (inability to breathe), drugs or chemicals that are destructive to the liver (hepatotoxic), and excess exposure to heat.
Definition of operate for English Language Learners. : 1  to function or behave in a proper or particular way. : 2  to use and control (something) : 3  to have control of (something, such as a business, department, program, etc.)
(Åpâ²É-rÄâ²shÉn) n. 1. The act or process of operating or functioning. 2. The state of being operative or functional: a factory in operation. 3. A process or series of acts involved in a particular form of work: the operation of building a house.