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HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY
Justice O. Bempah
Pharm. D Candidate
Western New England University
Preceptor: Dr. Yoonsun Mo Pharm. D
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OBJECTIVES Discuss the pathophysiology and
precipitants of hepatic encephalopathy. Briefly highlight the clinical presentation,
classification, and diagnostic criteria for hepatic encephalopathy.
Identify goals and common treatment regimens.
Discuss evidence based treatment study. Given patient case, devise plan for acute
management of hepatic encephalopathy.
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CC: “Weakness and persistent diarrhea”HPI: GW, a 58-year-old female H/o cirrhosis s/p transjugular intrahepatic
portosystemic shunt (TIPS), Cellulitis, abscess, diabetes and alcohol abuse
Presents to the ER with complaints of weakness and diarrhea
Started 4 days ago with N/V. Developed excruciating pain in the right
side of her back and in the flank, felt nauseated.
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HPI Continued: EMS - BP 70 systolic, IV hydration
initiated. ER- BP 93/52, T 36.8, O2 Sat 93% on
room air, very weak, acute renal failure and with 30% bands on her CBC.
Aggressive IV hydration with 3L of NS initiated.
Remains hypotensive (BP 89/54), Mg and Ca were replenished
EKG : Rate: 82, Rhythm: NSR , No ischemic changes.
CXR: Mild symmetric patchy markings over the medial lung base
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HPI Continued: Suggest pulmonary edema or bronchitis.
Appeared septic, piperacillin/tazobactam
started for antibiotic coverage.
Admitted to ICU for further management
Reported that her dog licked and
scratched her wound.
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PMH Cirrhosis, s/p TIPS 5 yrs ago Cellulitis and abscess on the left leg Diabetes + alcohol abuse Right-sided inguinal hernia s/p repair Surgical removal of infected inguinal
hernia repair
FH: Breast cancer
SH: Alcohol use and smoke half pack a day
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MEDS Lantus 50 units at night on sliding
scale insulin Lasix 80 mg po daily Spironolactone 100 mg po daily Iron sulfate 325 mg po daily Folic acid 1 mg po daily Thiamine 100 mg po daily
ALLERGIES: NKDA
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REVIEW OF SYSTEMS Poor appetite for the last 3 days Denied fevers, headaches, cough,
SOB, chest pain, has right-sided neck pain.
N/V resolved. (+) diarrhea and right flank pain.
(-) blood per rectum or abdominal pain.
Generalized weakness and lightheadedness.
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PHYSICAL EXAM GEN: Obese female, tired appearing,
talking full sentences, in mild distress VS: T 36°C HR 101, RR 22 , BP
114/55 mmHg, P 92, Wt 115.44 kg, Ht 5ft 8 in, O2 Sat 95% on 2 L nasal cannula.
HEENT: Dry mucous membranes. CV: tachycardic, regular, distant heart
sounds. LUNG/THORAX: Mildly tachypneic,
Lungs CTA bilaterally
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PHYSICAL EXAM Continued… ABD: Obese, soft, tender to
palpation in the RUQ, (+) Bowel sounds
SKIN: a small 1-2 cm wound on the left leg. Some redness in the lower extremities
MS/EXT: Bilateral lower edema present.
NEURO: Generally weak, A & O x3. CN II-XII grossly intact.
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LABS:Na 128 mEq/L
K 4.2 mEq/L Cl 98 mEq/L CO2 17 mEq/L
Ca 9.0 Mg 2.0 BUN 62 mg/dL
Creat 2.23mg/dL
Plt 98 x 103/mm3
Hct 28.7 WBC 23.1 x 103/mm3
Hgb 10.4 g/dL
AST 16 ALT 22
Phos 3.4 Glu 205 mg/dL
INR 1.94 Album 2.0Amylase 15 and Lipase 28, Lactic acid of 7.4 Ammonia 42 GFR 30
ABG: pH 7.31; pCO2 31 mm Hg; pO2 35 mm Hg; HCO3 16 mEq/L; Oxygen sat 89%
Band 12%, Neut, 66% Lymph 2, Mono 4, Eosi 0, Baso 0
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CRITICAL CARE COURSE Multisystem organ failure Respiratory failure
Sepsis/septic shock from group G streptococcus
Aspiration pneumonia
Cellulitis Renal failure
Cirrhosis due to alcohol abuse
Critical care myopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy
PAD & Lymph edema
Liver failure Peripheral neuropathy
Hypotension Pancreatitis
ARDS Bacteremia, fungemia (candida glabrata)
Diabetes
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CRITICAL CARE COURSE Sepsis/septic shock from group G
streptococcal, Cellulitis◦ Ceftriaxone 2g IV Q24H Day 3-5◦ Clindamycin 900 mg IV Q8H Day 3-9◦ Doxycyline 100 mg Q12H IV Day 5-8◦ Meropenem 1g Q12H Day 5-9
Hypotension◦ Norepinephrine-NS 8 mg/250mL IV cont◦ Dobutamine 3mcg/kg/min Q10H IV cont.◦ Albumin human 5% 250-500 ml Day 8◦ Hydrocortisone 100 mg once IV Day 9 and
Hydrocortisone 50 mg Q8H IV Day 11-13◦ Midodrine 10 mg po BID for HD associated
hypotension Day 15
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CRITICAL CARE COURSE ARDS/Respiratory failure
◦ Albuterol/ipratropium 2.5 mg/3mL via neb◦ Bumetanide 1- 2 mg Q12 IV x3 days – Day 3-5◦ Place on mechanical Vent. Day 7
Pain ◦ Hydromorphone 1mg IV Q3H PRN
Diabetes◦ Insulin human regular drip10-50 units (6ml/hr) PRN
per protocol Bacteriemia/fungemia - candida glabrata
◦ IV PCN G 4 million units every 12Q12H Day 10-17◦ Micafungin 100 mg Q24H Day 11- 16
Renal failure ◦ Place on HD Day15
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HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY(HE)
Hepatic encephalopathy refers to a reversible impairment of neuropsychiatric function associated with acute or chronic hepatic insufficiency or dysfunction after exclusion of other known brain disease2.
It ranges from mild to stupor to coma.4
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PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF HE A healthy liver clears almost all of the
portal vein ammonia, converting it into glutamine and preventing its entry into the systemic circulation.
In severe liver disease the ability to adequately filter blood from toxins and byproducts is reduced.
Gut derived nitrogenous toxic substance (eg, ammonia) in the blood accumulate.
Build up in brain results in encephalopathy.
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PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF HE
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CLINICAL MANIFESTATION OF HE
Disturbances of consciousness
Disorientation
Intellectual changes Confusion
Altered mood Forgetfulness
Poor concentration Asterixis (hand tremor)
Altered sleep-wake cycle
Fetor hepaticus
Sluggish movements Drowsiness
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CLINICAL MANIFESTATION OF HE
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CLASSIFICATION OF HE Several systems used to classify
HE. Most frequently in the US is the
West Haven criteria (Conn score) for altered mental statusobased on a pt's level of consciousness,
intellectual function, and behavior.4 (Table 1.)
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West Haven criteria (Conn score) for altered mental status.4
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PRECIPITANTS OF HEDrugs Dehydration
Benzodiazepines Vomiting
Narcotics Diarrhea
Alcohol Hemorrhage
Increased ammonia in the brain
Diuretics
Excess dietary intake of protein
Large volume paracentesis
Gastrointestinal bleeding Portosystemic shunting (eg, TIPS)
Infection Vascular occlusion
Electrolyte disturbances (hypokalemia)
Portal vein thrombosis
Constipation Hepatic vein thrombosis
Metabolic alkalosis Primary hepatocellular carcinoma
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DIAGNOSIS History and physical examination to
detect the cognitive and neuromuscular impairments that characterize HE.2
Exclusion of other causes of mental status changes
Serum laboratory testing to rule out metabolic abnormalities
Computed tomography (CT) scans of the braino If the clinical findings suggest another cause
for the patient's HE may be presentoEx: subdural hematoma from trauma, cerebral
edema.2
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LABORATORY TESTS Ammonia is the best characterized
neurotoxin that precipitates hepatic encephalopathy. 2
oAn elevated serum ammonia concentration is not required to make the diagnosis
oNot specific for hepatic encephalopathy.
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PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT OF HE
Goal:oIdentify and treat precipitating factors
oReduce ammonia level in the blood.2
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Lactulose (Constulose®, Enulose®, Kristalose®) First line agent2
MOA: oLactulose is broken down by GI bacteria
to form lactic, acetic and formic acids in the colon which convert ammonia (NH3) to ammonium ion (NH4+) which is non polar and its absorption is decreased.
oDose (10 g/15mL): Give 30-45 mL (or 20-30 g powder) PO TID-QID• Titrate to bowel movements of 2-4 soft stools
per dayEnema: given Q4-6H PRN
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Lactulose (Constulose®, Enulose®, Kristalose®)
Side Effects: oFlatulence, abdominal distention,
N/V/D, dehydration, hypokalemia and intestinal cramping.
Monitoring: oMental status, blood ammonia, bowel
movements, fluid and electrolytes status.
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Rifaximin (Xifaxan®) Used in lactulose non-responders MOA: oSynthetic antibiotic that reduces GI
ammonia absorption by inhibiting urease-producing bacteria, which decreases ammonia production and facilitate its elimination.
oDose: 400 mg PO TID x 5-10 days for treatment or 550 mg PO BID for prevention.
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Rifaximin (Xifaxan®) Side Effects: oPeripheral edema, dizziness, fatigue,
N/V, anemia, ascites and flatulence Monitoring:oMental status, blood ammonia and CBC
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Sharma et al. Rifaximin + Lactulose Study5
Objective: Drugs used in the treatment of HE are
primarily used to reduce blood ammonia levels.
Rifaximin and lactulose have shown to be effective in HE.1,3,6
The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of rifaximin plus lactulose vs. lactulose alone for treatment of overt HE.
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Method:Patients with liver cirrhosis
172
Inclusion criteria Age: 18 – 80 y/oLiver cirrhosis and overt HE
Exclusion criteria Scr >1.5 mg/dlRecent alcohol intake <4 wksHepatocellular carcinomaSignificant systemic illness
Primary end point Complete reversal of HE
Secondary end point DeathHospital stay (Days)
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Method: Group A: rifaximin 400mg po TID
and lactulose 30 to 60 ml TID titrated to 2 to 3 semisoft BM/day
Group B: Placebo capsule + lactulose 30 to 60 ml TID titrated to 2 to 3 semisoft BM/day
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Results:Group A (n =63) B (n =57) P
value
Treatment Lactulose + Rifaximin
Lactulose + Placebo
Complete reversal of HE per West Haven Criteria
n =48 (76%) n =25 (44%) P =0.004
Death n =15 (23.8%)
n =28 (49.1%)
P<0.05
Sepsis deaths 1 17
Hospital stay (Days)
5.8 ± 3.4 8.2 ± 4.6 P =0.001
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Limitations: No results on how many patients had
significant improvements in their HE vs. complete resolution HE.
Most pts were far sicker (grade 3-4 HE) than normal at baseline and the death rate in the placebo group was about 50%. Makes it difficult to know how these results can be extrapolated to pts that are less sick (grade 1-2 HE).
No long term follow up to see whether mortality benefit lasted.
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Conclusion of study: Patients who received rifaximin and
lactulose were more likely than those who received lactulose alone to have complete resolution of their hepatic encephalopathy (76 vs. 44 %) and lower mortality (24 vs 49 %).5
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ASSESSMENT HE OF GWRisk factors: Liver cirrhosis Infection Alcohol abuse TIPS Dehydration Diarrhea
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ASSESSMENT HE OF GWDay
Symptoms Encephalopathy/West Haven criteria grade
Serum ammonia (Umol/L)
1 Generally weak, A & O x3
0 (minimal) 42
6 Mildly confused, forgetful, alert and oriented to person, but not time and place (A & O × 1).
1-2 93
7 confused, grossly disoriented, responded to her name by just opening her eyes (verbal stimuli). (A & O x 0)
3 142
13 Mildly alert and oriented to person, place, but not time (A & O x 2)
1 46
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TREATMENT OPTIONS
Lactulose Rifaximin Lactulose + Rifaximin
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TREATMENT OF GWDay
Medication and dosage
Encephalopathy/West Haven criteria grade
Serum ammonia (Umol/L)
1 Thiamine 100 mg po daily20-60 mg lactulose PO daily
0 (minimal) 42
6 Thiamine 100 mg po daily60 mg lactulose po daily
1-2 93
7 Thiamine 100 mg po daily20 mg lactulose po dailyRifaximin 550 mg po Q12H
3 142
13 Thiamine 100 mg po daily20 mg lactulose po dailyRifaximin 550 mg po Q12H
1 46
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CONCLUSION Rifaximin plus lactulose appears to be
more effective than lactulose alone in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
This evidence suggests that there may be a mortality benefit (decreased sepsis deaths) with rifaximin addition.
At this point it seems reasonable to add rifaximin in patients with lactulose failure by considering pt’s specific conditions and cost
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REFERENCE
1. Bass, N., Mullen, K., Sanyal, A., Poordad, F., Neff, G., Leevy, C., & ... Forbes, W. (2010). Rifaximin treatment in hepatic encephalopathy. The New England Journal Of Medicine, 362(12), 1071-1081.
2. Hepatic Encephalopathy in Chronic Liver Disease: 2014 Practice Guideline by the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. J Hepatol (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2014.05.042
3. 24. Jiang Q, Jiang XH, Zheng MH, et al. Rifaximin versus nonabsorbable disaccharides in the management of hepatic encephalopathy: a meta-analysis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008; 20:1064.
4. Mullen KD, Ferenci P, Bass NM, Leevy CB, Keeffe EB. An algorithm for the management of hepatic encephalopathy. Semin Liver Dis. 2007;27:32-48.
5. Sharma, B., Sharma, P., Lunia, M., Srivastava, S., Goyal, R., & Sarin, S. (2013). A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial comparing rifaximin plus lactulose with lactulose alone in treatment of overt hepatic encephalopathy. The American Journal Of Gastroenterology, 108(9), 1458-1463. doi:10.1038/ajg.2013.219
6. Sharma BC, Sharma P, Agrawal A, Sarin SK. Secondary prophylaxis of hepatic encephalopathy: an open-label randomized controlled trial of lactulose vs. placebo. Gastroenterology 2009;137:885–891, [891.e1].
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QUESTIONS