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Liver Transplantation and Hepatic Encephalopathy

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Book cover Hepatic Encephalopathy

Part of the book series: Clinical Gastroenterology ((CG))

Abstract

Liver transplantation (LT) is the definitive treatment for liver failure and its associated complications including hepatic encephalopathy (HE). LT is known to improve survival, quality of life (QOL), and cognitive functioning in patients with HE. Some authors have reported resolution of severe forms of neurodegeneration such as acquired hepatocerebral degeneration after LT. Overt HE is known to resolve after LT, whereas the improvement in minimal HE appears to be dynamic, nonhomogenous, and at times incomplete. There are a range of possible reasons for persistent cognitive deficits after LT. Possible lasting effect of overt HE on brain is one of them. Overt HE is also known to affect the post-LT survival, QOL, and modulate early calcineurin inhibitor-induced neurotoxicity. As detrimental effects of overt HE on transplant outcomes become more apparent, more emphasis might need to be given for early transplantation in these patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Metrohealth Medical Center, 2500 Metrohealth Drive, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA

    Dileep K. Atluri MD, MRCP (UK)

  2. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Metrohealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Kevin D. Mullen MD, FRCPI

Authors
  1. Dileep K. Atluri MD, MRCP (UK)
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  2. Kevin D. Mullen MD, FRCPI
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dileep K. Atluri MD, MRCP (UK) .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Division of Gastroenterology, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, 44145, USA

    Kevin D. Mullen

  2. , Division of Gastroenterology, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, 44145, USA

    Ravi K. Prakash

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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Atluri, D.K., Mullen, K.D. (2012). Liver Transplantation and Hepatic Encephalopathy. In: Mullen, K., Prakash, R. (eds) Hepatic Encephalopathy. Clinical Gastroenterology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-836-8_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-836-8_19

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-835-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-836-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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