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Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is an altered level of consciousness as a result of liver failure. [2] Its onset may be gradual or sudden. [ 2 ] Other symptoms may include movement problems, changes in mood , or changes in personality . [ 2 ]
One scheme defines "acute hepatic failure" as the development of encephalopathy within 26 weeks of the onset of any hepatic symptoms. This is sub-divided into "fulminant hepatic failure", which requires onset of encephalopathy within 8 weeks, and "subfulminant", which describes onset of encephalopathy after 8 weeks but before 26 weeks. [ 6 ]
The exact definition of "rapid" is somewhat questionable, and different sub-divisions exist which are based on the time from onset of first hepatic symptoms to onset of encephalopathy. One scheme defines "acute hepatic failure" as the development of encephalopathy within 26 weeks of the onset of any hepatic symptoms.
The King's College criteria were described in a seminal publication in 1989 by J.G. O'Grady and colleagues from King's College School of Medicine. [2] 588 patients with acute liver failure who presented to King's College Hospital from 1973 to 1985 were assessed retrospectively to determine if there were particular clinical features or tests that correlated poorly with prognosis.
Encephalopathy is a difficult term because it can be used to denote either a disease or finding (i.e., an observable sign in a person). [citation needed] When referring to a finding, encephalopathy refers to permanent (or degenerative) [11] brain injury, or a reversible one. It can be due to direct injury to the brain, or illness remote from ...
Age and comorbid conditions can result in a more prolonged and severe illness. Certain patients warrant hospitalization, especially those who present with clinical signs of ascites, peripheral edema, and hepatic encephalopathy, and laboratory signs of hypoglycemia, prolonged prothrombin time, low serum albumin, and very high serum bilirubin. [17]
Cirrhosis, also known as liver cirrhosis or hepatic cirrhosis, chronic liver failure or chronic hepatic failure and end-stage liver disease, is an acute condition of the liver in which the normal functioning tissue, or parenchyma, is replaced with scar tissue and regenerative nodules as a result of chronic liver disease.
Liver disease, or hepatic disease, is any of many diseases of the liver. [1] If long-lasting it is termed chronic liver disease . [ 3 ] Although the diseases differ in detail, liver diseases often have features in common.