Concise review of current concepts on nomenclature and pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy
Ilona Savlan,
Valentina Liakina,
Jonas Valantinas
Affiliations
Ilona Savlan
Centre of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Dietetics, Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephrourology and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
Valentina Liakina
Centre of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Dietetics, Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephrourology and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
Jonas Valantinas
Centre of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Dietetics, Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephrourology and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
Hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric complication of liver cirrhosis the symptoms of which may vary from imperceptible to severe, invaliding, and even lethal. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is also important because of its tendency to impair patients’ cognitive functions and quality of life. The polyetiological pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy is intensively studied. A general consensus exists that not only excess of ammonia but also inflammatory, oxidative, and other processes are significant in the development of hepatic encephalopathy.
