Hepatic encephalopathy

Yurdaydin C., İDİLMAN R.

European Gastroenterology and Hepatology Review, cilt.7, sa.4, ss.268-271, 2012 (Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 7 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2012
  • Dergi Adı: European Gastroenterology and Hepatology Review
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.268-271
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Diagnosis, Hepatic encephalopathy, Minimal hepatic encephalopathy, Natural history, Pathogenesis, Treatment
  • Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a reversible metabolic encephalopathy occurring in patients with acute, subacute or chronic liver disease. HE reflects a spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities ranging from minimal hepatic encephalopathy (mHE) to deep coma; mHE is defined as abnormal brain functioning detected by psychometric or electrophysiologic testing in patients with advanced liver disease who appear to have a normal neurologic examination. It may lead to impaired quality of life and it may predict overt HE. Pathogenetically, HE may be a consequence of low-grade cerebral oedema. This concept has the potential to delineate how precipitating factors of HE can induce HE. Management of HE consists of treatment of a precipitating event, the use of non-absorbable disaccharides and antibiotics, with rifaximin appearing to besafe and effective. Non-absorbable disaccharides and rifaximin may also prevent HE. Patients with cirrhosis should receive a high-protein diet. Long-term administration of branched chain amino acids is most likely of additional value. © Touch Briefings 2011.