Hepatic encephalopathy.

In summary, then, it can be said that hepatic encephalopathy is a process caused by the underlying inability of the certain products to be metabolized in a damaged liver. These products lead to altered neurotransmission with the resulting neurologic finding of altered affect, confusion, somnolence, or coma. Augmentation of the neurologic deficit occurs when the patient suffers additional metabolic insults. Treatment of the patient with hepatic encephalopathy requires careful monitoring and aggressive therapy for those factors known to precipitate encephalopathy, as well as treatment of the underlying hepatic process and encephalopathy.