Decompensated cirrhosis corresponds to the end stage of chronic liver disease. It is associated with poor outcomes, in particular, in patients who are not candidate for a liver transplantation. Those patients require frequent hospital admissions to manage complications. In those situations, the adequacy of a potential intensive care unit admission is regularly discussed among care providers. This article reviews elements to be considered in such situations: available tools, decision timing and modulating factors such as trigger for admission.