Hepatic Encephalopathy: From the Pathogenesis to the New Treatments. (4th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cordoba, Juan
• Other Names: Huang L.-T. Academic Editor.; Shimizu Y. Academic Editor.; Zheng M.-H. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN hepatology. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-06-04
• Subjects: Hepatology -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Liver Diseases; Gastroenterology; Hepatology; Electronic journals; Periodical; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.36
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/236268
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2314-4041

Abstract

Abstract : Hepatic encephalopathy is a frequent and serious complication of liver cirrhosis; the pathophysiology of this complication is not fully understood although great efforts have been made during the last years. There are few prospective studies on the epidemiology of this complication; however, it is known that it confers with high short-term mortality. Hepatic encephalopathy has been classified into different groups depending on the degree of hepatic dysfunction, the presence of portal-systemic shunts, and the number of episodes. Due to the large clinical spectra of overt EH and the complexity of cirrhotic patients, it is very difficult to perform quality clinical trials for assessing the efficacy of the treatments proposed. The physiopathology, clinical manifestation, and the treatment of HE is a challenge because of the multiple factors that converge and coexist in an episode of overt HE.