Hepatic encephalopathy is brain and nervous system damage that occurs as a complication of liver disorders.

Hepatic encephalopathy is caused by disorders that affect the liver. These include disorders that reduce liver function (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis) and conditions in which blood circulation does not enter the liver. The exact cause of hepatic encephalopathy is unknown.

An important job of the liver is to change toxic substances that are either made by the body or taken into the body (such as medicines) and make them harmless. However, when the liver is damaged, these "poisons" may build up in the bloodstream.

Ammonia, which is produced by the body when proteins are digested, is one of the harmful substances that is normally made harmless by the liver. Many other substances may also build up in the body if the liver is not working well. They can cause damage to the nervous system.

Hepatic encephalopathy may occur suddenly in people who previously had no liver problems when damage occurs to the liver. More often, the condition is seen in people with chronic liver disease.

Hepatic encephalopathy may be triggered by:

• Any condition that causes alkalosis
• Dehydration
• Eating too much protein
• Electrolyte abnormalities (especially a decrease in potassium) from vomiting, or from treatments such as paracentesis or taking diuretics ("water pills")
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Infections
• Kidney problems
• Low oxygen levels in the body
• Shunt placement or complications
• Surgery
• Use of medications that suppress the central nervous system (such as barbiturates or benzodiazepine tranquilizers)

Disorders that can mimic or mask symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy include:

• Alcohol intoxication
• Complicated alcohol withdrawal
• Meningitis
• Metabolic abnormalities such as low blood glucose
• Sedative overdose
• Subdural hematoma
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Hepatic encephalopathy may occur as an acute, potentially reversible disorder. Or it may occur as a chronic, progressive disorder that is associated with chronic liver disease.

• Agitation
• Changes in mental state, consciousness, behavior, personality
  • Changes in mood
  • Coma
  • Confusion, disorientation
  • Decreased alertness, daytime sleepiness
  • Decreased responsiveness
  • Delirium
  • Dementia
  • Forgetfulness
• Deterioration of handwriting or loss of other small hand movements
• Dysfunctional movement
• Muscle stiffness
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures (rare)
• Speech impairment
• Uncontrollable movement

Patients with hepatic encephalopathy are often not able to care for themselves because of these symptoms.

Nervous system signs may change. Signs include:

• Coarse, "flapping" shaking of the hands when attempting to hold the arms out in front of the body and lift the hands
• Abnormal mental status, particularly cognitive (thinking) tasks such as connecting numbers with lines
• Signs of liver disease, such as yellow skin and eyes (jaundice) and fluid collection in the abdomen (ascites), and occasionally a musty odor to the breath and urine

Tests may include:

• Blood chemistry
• CT scan of the head or MRI
• EEG
• Prothrombin time
• Serum ammonia levels

Hepatic encephalopathy may become a medical emergency. Hospitalization is required.

The first step is to identify and treat any factors that may have caused hepatic encephalopathy.

Gastrointestinal bleeding must be stopped. The intestines must be emptied of blood. Infections, kidney failure, and electrolyte abnormalities (especially potassium) need to be treated.

Life support may be necessary to help with breathing or blood circulation, particularly if the person is in a coma. The brain may swell, which can be life-threatening.

Patients with severe, repeated cases of encephalopathy may be told to reduce protein in the diet to lower ammonia production. However, dietary counseling is important, because too little protein in the diet may cause malnutrition. Critically ill patients may need specially formulated intravenous or tube feedings.

Lactulose may be given to prevent intestinal bacteria from creating ammonia, and as a laxative to remove blood from the intestines. Neomycin may also be used to reduce ammonia production by intestinal bacteria. Rifaximin, a new antibiotic, is also effective in hepatic encephalopathy.

Sedatives, tranquilizers, and any other medications that are broken down or released by the liver should be avoided if possible. Medications containing ammonium (including certain antacids) should also be avoided. Other medications and treatments may be recommended. They may have varying results.

Acute hepatic encephalopathy may be treatable. Chronic forms of the disorder often keep getting worse or continue to come back.

Both forms may result in irreversible coma and death. Approximately 80% (8 out of 10 patients) die if they go into a coma. Recovery and the risk of the condition returning vary from patient to patient.

• Brain herniation
• Brain swelling
• Increased risk of:
  • Cardiovascular collapse
  • Kidney failure
  • Respiratory failure
  • Sepsis
• Permanent nervous system damage (to movement, sensation, or mental state)
• Progressive, irreversible coma
• Side effects of medications

Call your health care provider if any change in mental state or other nervous system problem occurs, particularly if there is a known or suspected liver disorder. Hepatic encephalopathy can rapidly get worse and become an emergency condition.

Treating liver disorders may prevent some cases of hepatic encephalopathy. Avoiding heavy drinking and intravenous drug use can prevent many liver disorders.

If there are any nervous system symptoms in a person with known or suspected liver disease, call for immediate medical attention.

Schuppan D, Afdhal NH. Liver cirrhosis. Lancet. 2008;371:838-851.

Munoz SJ. Hepatic encephalopathy. Med Clin North Am. 2008;795-812.