Definition of Hepatic Encephalopathy

In this article, we will discuss the Definition of Hepatic Encephalopathy. So, let’s get started.

Definition

Acute hepatic encephalopathy is a clinical syndrome of neuropsychiatric manifestations developing within a period of 8 weeks in a patient with acute fulminant hepatitis as a result of massive acute hepatocellular necrosis without any evidence of previous liver disease. Chronic hepatic encephalopathy develops between 8 weeks and 6 months after the onset of acute liver disease. Acute on chronic liver failure refers to acute deterioration of liver function in a patient with pre-existing liver disease.  This is due to the entry of nitrogenous products and gut-derived neurotoxins in the circulation and the brain. These nitrogenous products and neurotoxins normally originate in the intestine and are inactivated and metabolized in the liver. In hepatic failure, they bypass the diseased liver and reach the CNS through circulation leading to encephalopathy.