Nontraditional Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy.

Steven-Huy Han, Jasleen Singh, Brittney Ibrahim

Journal: Clinics in liver disease 2024;28(2):297-315

PMID: 38548441

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

The pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is complex, with hyperammonemia playing a central role in its development. Traditional therapies for HE have targeted ammonia and include medications such as lactulose and rifaximin. Although these agents are considered standard of care, nontraditional treatments seek to affect other factors in the pathogenesis of HE. Finally, procedural therapies include albumin dialysis, shunt closure, and the ultimate cure for HE, which is liver transplant. The treatments discussed provide alternative options for patients who have failed standard of care. However, more high-quality studies are needed to routinely recommend many of these agents.

Address: Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA.; Department of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2024.01.007

Link outs

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

MeSH Terms: Humans, Hepatic Encephalopathy, Gastrointestinal Agents, Rifamycins, Rifaximin, Lactulose