Hepatic Encephalopathy: Diagnostic Tools and Management Strategies

Link to article at PubMed

Med Clin North Am. 2023 May;107(3):517-531. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2023.01.003. Epub 2023 Feb 20.

ABSTRACT

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is brain dysfunction secondary to liver insufficiency or portosystemic shunting. HE is a major burden on patients and caregivers, impairs quality of life and is associated with higher mortality. Overt HE is a clinical diagnosis while Covert HE, needs specialized diagnostic strategies. Mainstay of treatment of HE is nonabsorbable disaccharides such as lactulose as well as rifaximin; however, investigational therapies are discussed in this review. Better tools are needed to prognosticate which patients will go on to develop HE but microbiome and metabolomic-driven strategies are promising. Here we review methods to prevent the HE development and admissions.

PMID:37001951 | DOI:10.1016/j.mcna.2023.01.003

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