Objective To investigate the effect of ABO-incompatible liver transplantation on patients with acute hepatic failure. Methods A retrospective review was undertaken on the clinical data of 3 cases （1 case of Budd-Chiari syndrome, 1 case of liver cancer and 1 case of severe hepatitis B were included） undergoing ABO-incompatible liver transplantation for acute hepatic failure. The patients were given quadruple immunosuppression after operation. Results Postoperative complications including pulmonary infection, central pontine myelionlysis and acute rejection was suffered from by the patient of Budd-Chiari syndrome who was then given a positive deal and had survived for more than 14 months. The patient of liver cancer was aggravated by severe infection who died of multiple organ failure on day 13 after operation. The patient with severe hepatitis B was made more severe by acute renal failure whose kidney function was restored with continuous renal replacement therapy. Conclusion The outcome of ABO-incompatible liver transplantation can be improved with refined peri-transplant management and better immunosuppressive strategies. ABO-incompatible liver transplantation should be viewed as an important option in patients with acute hepatic failure awaiting an emergency procedure.