Hepatic encephalopathy - Metabolic consequence of cirrhosis often is reversible

Hepatic encephalopathy is characterized by neuropsychiatric manifestations ranging from a slightly altered mental status to coma, and neuromuscular symptoms may be present. This complication of chronic or acute liver disease is a result of the failure of the liver to detoxify toxins originating in the intestine. The pathogenesis probably is multifactorial, although the predominant causative agent appears to be ammonia. In this article, Drs Abou-Assi and Vlahcevic discuss the timely recognition and correction of factors contributing to this often reversible condition.