Research Article

Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy

Volume: 27 Number: 1-2 June 30, 1974
Esat Erenoğlu
EN TR

Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy

Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy is a serious neuropsychiatric complication arising in patients with advanced liver disease or portal–systemic shunts, and may present acutely in massive liver necrosis or chronically in cirrhosis. Clinical features range from subtle behavioral changes, agitation and asterixis to stupor, coma, and transient focal neurological signs. The pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, but ammonia intoxication—augmented by increased intestinal production and impaired hepatic clearance—and short‐chain fatty acids, cerebral edema, and false neurotransmitters all contribute. Treatment of chronic encephalopathy focuses on lowering systemic ammonia via dietary protein restriction, nonabsorbable disaccharides (lactulose), poorly absorbed antibiotics (neomycin or alternatives), correction of acid–base and electrolyte imbalances, and adjunctive levodopa. In acute fulminant cases, these measures often produce only transient improvement. More invasive therapies—exchange transfusion, dialysis, extracorporeal liver perfusion—can stabilize patients and buy time for potential liver transplantation, although definitive reversal remains rare in fulminant hepatic failure.

Keywords

Hepatic encephalopathy, Acute liver failure, Chronic liver disease, Ammonia toxicity, Lactulose therapy, Neomycin, Levodopa, Exchange transfusion

References

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APA
Erenoğlu, E. (1974). Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası, 27(1-2), 439-450. https://izlik.org/JA82BM29RS
AMA
1.Erenoğlu E. Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası. 1974;27(1-2):439-450. https://izlik.org/JA82BM29RS
Chicago
Erenoğlu, Esat. 1974. “Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy”. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası 27 (1-2): 439-50. https://izlik.org/JA82BM29RS.
EndNote
Erenoğlu E (June 1, 1974) Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası 27 1-2 439–450.
IEEE
[1]E. Erenoğlu, “Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy”, Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası, vol. 27, no. 1-2, pp. 439–450, June 1974, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA82BM29RS
ISNAD
Erenoğlu, Esat. “Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy”. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası 27/1-2 (June 1, 1974): 439-450. https://izlik.org/JA82BM29RS.
JAMA
1.Erenoğlu E. Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası. 1974;27:439–450.
MLA
Erenoğlu, Esat. “Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy”. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası, vol. 27, no. 1-2, June 1974, pp. 439-50, https://izlik.org/JA82BM29RS.
Vancouver
1.Esat Erenoğlu. Recognition and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Hepatic Encephalopathy. Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası [Internet]. 1974 Jun. 1;27(1-2):439-50. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA82BM29RS