Skip to main content
Top
Published in:

07-03-2025 | Hepatic Encephalopathy | Review

Hepatic encephalopathy: risk identification and prophylaxis approaches

Authors: Aldo Torre, Jacqueline Córdova-Gallardo, Froylan David Martínez-Sánchez

Published in: Metabolic Brain Disease | Issue 3/2025

Login to get access

Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a debilitating neurological condition associated with cirrhosis, characterized by cognitive impairment ranging from minimal to overt symptoms. It significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and substantially burdens healthcare systems. This review examines current prophylactic strategies for HE, focusing on established treatments, emerging therapies, and predictive tools to identify high-risk patients. Traditional treatments such as lactulose and rifaximin remain the cornerstone of HE management, effectively reducing ammonia levels and preventing recurrence. However, novel approaches like L-ornithine L-aspartate, albumin infusions, and antioxidants like resveratrol show promise in further improving outcomes by addressing underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, including systemic inflammation and gut dysbiosis. Developing predictive models, such as the AMMON-OHE score and clinical-genetic risk assessments, enhances the ability to tailor preventive interventions to individual patient profiles. These advancements are crucial in mitigating the incidence of overt HE, reducing hospital admissions, and improving patient survival rates. The future of HE management lies in personalized medicine, targeting specific inflammatory and metabolic pathways, with the potential integration of genetic manipulation. Continued research is essential to refine these strategies, ultimately aiming to improve the prognosis and quality of life for cirrhotic patients at risk of HE.
Literature
go back to reference Flamm SL (2018) Considerations for the cost-effective management of hepatic encephalopathy. Am J Manag Care 24(4 Suppl):S51–S61PubMed Flamm SL (2018) Considerations for the cost-effective management of hepatic encephalopathy. Am J Manag Care 24(4 Suppl):S51–S61PubMed
go back to reference Torre A (2008) Update in the physiopathology and diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy. Rev Invest Clin 60(4):321–331PubMed Torre A (2008) Update in the physiopathology and diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy. Rev Invest Clin 60(4):321–331PubMed
Metadata
Title
Hepatic encephalopathy: risk identification and prophylaxis approaches
Authors
Aldo Torre
Jacqueline Córdova-Gallardo
Froylan David Martínez-Sánchez
Publication date
07-03-2025
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Metabolic Brain Disease / Issue 3/2025
Print ISSN: 0885-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7365
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-025-01531-y