Diagnosis and Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy

Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a severe complication of cirrhosis. The prevalence of overt HE (OHE) ranges from 30% to 45%, whereas the prevalence of minimal HE (MHE) is as high as 85% in some case series. Widespread use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt to control complications related to portal hypertension is associated with an increase in HE incidence. If the diagnosis of OHE remains simple in most cases, then the diagnosis of MHE is less codified because of many differential diagnoses with different therapeutic implications. This review analyzes current knowledge about the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and different therapeutic options of HE.

Keywords: Ammonemia; Cirrhosis; Hepatic encephalopathy; Minimal hepatic encephalopathy; Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.