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Ballester MP, Tranah TH, Balcar L, Fiorillo A, Ampuero J, Kerbert AJC, Thomsen KL, Escudero MD, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T, Shawcross DL, Romero-Gómez M, Montoliu C, Carbonell-Asins JA, Jalan R. Development and validation of the AMMON-OHE model to predict risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy occurrence in outpatients with cirrhosis. J Hepatol 2023; 79:967-976. [PMID: 37277075 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Neuropsychological and psychophysical tests are recommended to assess the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE), but their accuracy is limited. Hyperammonaemia is central in the pathogenesis of OHE, but its predictive utility is unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of neuropsychological or psychophysical tests and ammonia, and to develop a model (AMMON-OHE) to stratify the risk of subsequent OHE development in outpatients with cirrhosis. METHODS This observational, prospective study included 426 outpatients without previous OHE from three liver units followed for a median of 2.5 years. Psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) <-4 or critical flicker frequency (CFF) <39 was considered abnormal. Ammonia was normalized to upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) at the respective reference laboratory. Multivariable frailty competing risk and random survival forest analyses were performed to predict future OHE and to develop the AMMON-OHE model. External validation was carried out using 267 and 381 patients from two independent units. RESULTS Significant differences were found in time-to-OHE (log-rank p <0.001) according to PHES or CFF and ammonia, with the highest risk in patients with abnormal PHES plus high AMM-ULN (hazard ratio 4.4; 95% CI 2.4-8.1; p <0.001 compared with normal PHES and AMM-ULN). On multivariable analysis, AMM-ULN but not PHES or CFF was an independent predictor of the development of OHE (hazard ratio 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.9; p = 0.015). The AMMON-OHE model (sex, diabetes, albumin, creatinine and AMM-ULN) showed a C-index of 0.844 and 0.728 for the prediction of a first episode of OHE in two external validation cohorts. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we developed and validated the AMMON-OHE model, comprising readily available clinical and biochemical variables that can be used to identify outpatients at the highest risk of developing a first episode of OHE. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS In this study, we aimed to develop a model to predict which patients with cirrhosis are at risk of developing overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE). Using data from three units and including 426 outpatients with cirrhosis, we developed the AMMON-OHE model - comprising sex, diabetes, albumin, creatinine and ammonia levels - which demonstrated good predictive ability. The AMMON-OHE model performs better than PHES and CFF to predict the first episode of OHE in outpatients with cirrhosis. This model was validated in 267 and 381 patients from two independent liver units. The AMMON-OHE model is available online for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pilar Ballester
- Digestive Disease Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Spain; INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Thomas H Tranah
- Institute of Liver Studies, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King´s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Javier Ampuero
- Digestive Diseases Department, Ciberehd, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (HUVR/CSIC/US), University of Seville, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Annarein J C Kerbert
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen L Thomsen
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom; Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - María Desamparados Escudero
- Digestive Disease Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Spain; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Debbie L Shawcross
- Institute of Liver Studies, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King´s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Romero-Gómez
- Digestive Diseases Department, Ciberehd, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (HUVR/CSIC/US), University of Seville, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carmina Montoliu
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain; Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom; European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif), Spain.
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Cardoso FS, Kim M, Pereira R, Bagulho L, Fidalgo P, Pawlowski A, Wunderink R, Germano N, Bagshaw SM, Abraldes JG, Karvellas CJ. Early serum ammonia variation in critically ill patients with cirrhosis: A multicentre cohort study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 58:715-724. [PMID: 37470277 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum ammonia variation in critically ill patients with cirrhosis has been poorly studied. AIM To describe and assess the impact of serum ammonia variation in these patients' outcomes. METHODS We studied patients ≥18 years old admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) at University of Alberta Hospital (Edmonton, Canada) and Curry Cabral Hospital (Lisbon, Portugal; derivation cohort, n = 492) and Northwestern University Hospital (Chicago, USA; validation cohort, n = 600) between January 2010 and December 2021. Primary exposure was ICU days 1-3 serum ammonia. Primary endpoint was all-cause hospital mortality. RESULTS In the derivation cohort, 330 (67.1%) patients were male and median (IQR) age was 57 (50-63) years. On ICU day 1, median ammonia was higher in patients with grade 3/4 hepatic encephalopathy (HE) than those with grade 2 HE or grade 0/1 HE (112 vs. 88 vs. 77 μmoL/L, respectively; p < 0.001). Furthermore, medium ammonia was higher in hospital non-survivors than survivors (99 vs. 86 μmol/L; p < 0.030). Following adjustment for significant confounders (age, HE, vasopressor use and renal replacement therapy delivery), higher ICU day 2 ammonia was independently associated with higher hospital mortality (adjusted OR per each 10 μmoL/L increment [95% CI] = 1.11 [1.01-1.21]; p = 0.024). In the validation cohort, this model with serial ammonia (ICU days 1 and 3) predicted hospital mortality with reasonably good discrimination (c-statistic = 0.73) and calibration (R2 = 0.19 and Brier score = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with cirrhosis in the ICU, early serum ammonia variation was independently associated with hospital mortality. In this context, serial serum ammonia may have prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe S Cardoso
- Transplant Unit and Intensive Care Unit, Curry Cabral Hospital, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Minjee Kim
- Division of Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Rui Pereira
- Intensive Care Unit, Curry Cabral Hospital, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Bagulho
- Transplant Unit and Intensive Care Unit, Curry Cabral Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Fidalgo
- Intensive Care Unit, São Francisco Xavier Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Anna Pawlowski
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Richard Wunderink
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Nuno Germano
- Intensive Care Unit, Curry Cabral Hospital, Nova Medical School, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sean M Bagshaw
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Juan G Abraldes
- Liver Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Constantine J Karvellas
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Liver Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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3
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Ballester MP, Rose CF, Carbonell-Asins JA, Jalan R. Measuring and Interpreting Ammonia Levels in Cirrhosis. Am J Gastroenterol 2023; 118:1297. [PMID: 37377264 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pilar Ballester
- Digestive Disease Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- INCLIVA-Biomedical Research Unit, Valencia, Spain
| | - Christopher F Rose
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, UK
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif), Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Deutsch-Link S, Moon AM. Response to Ballester et al. Am J Gastroenterol 2023; 118:1297-1299. [PMID: 37377265 PMCID: PMC10321767 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Deutsch-Link
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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5
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Eriksen PL, Djernes L, Vilstrup H, Ott P. Clearance and production of ammonia quantified in humans by constant ammonia infusion - the effects of cirrhosis and ammonia targeting treatments. J Hepatol 2023:S0168-8278(23)00220-9. [PMID: 37061198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hyperammonaemia is a key pathological feature of liver disease and the primary driver of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). However, the relative roles of increased ammonia production and reduced clearance are poorly understood as is the action of ammonia-targeting HE drugs. We aimed to quantify whole-body ammonia metabolism in healthy persons and patients with cirrhosis and to validate our method by examining the effects of glycerol phenylbutyrate and lactulose + rifaximin treatment. METHODS Ten healthy men and ten male patients with cirrhosis were investigated by 90-minute constant ammonia infusion to achieve steady-state plasma ammonia. Whole-body ammonia clearance was calculated as infusion rate divided by steady-state concentration increase and ammonia production as clearance times baseline ammonia concentration. Participants were re-investigated after the ammonia targeting interventions. RESULTS In healthy persons, ammonia clearance was 3.5 (3.1-3.9) L/min and production 49 (35-63) μmol/min. Phenylbutyrate increased clearance by 11% (4-19%, p=0.009). Patients with cirrhosis had a 20% decreased ammonia clearance of 2.7 (2.1-3.3) L/min (p = 0.02) and a nearly tripled production to 131 (102-159) μmol/min (p<0.0001). Lactulose + rifaximin reduced production by 20% (2-37%, p=0.03). The infusion was generally well-tolerated save one hyperammonaemic patient with cirrhosis with possible bleeding unrelated to the infusion who developed clinical HE that reverted when infusion was discontinued. CONCLUSIONS Whole-body ammonia clearance and production may be measured separately by the technique used. The method identified a lower clearance and a higher production in patients with cirrhosis, and showed that phenylbutyrate increases clearance, whereas lactulose + rifaximin reduces production. The method may be used to examine a range of questions related to normo-/pathophysiology and ammonia-targeting treatment mechanisms. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS High blood ammonia plays a key role in liver cirrhosis related brain dysfunction. However, the relative roles of increased ammonia production and reduced ammonia clearance are poorly understood as is the action of ammonia-targeting treatments. This study presents a relatively simple test to measure ammonia metabolism. By use of this test, it was possible to show that patients with liver cirrhosis have decreased ammonia clearance and increased ammonia production compared with healthy persons and to quantify distinctively different ammonia-targeting treatment effects. The test presented holds several perspectives for future studies of normal physiology and pathophysiology, not least in regard to elucidating effects of ammonia-targeting therapies. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov (1-16-02-297-20).
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lykke Eriksen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
| | - Lars Djernes
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Viborg Regional Hospital, Denmark; Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Hendrik Vilstrup
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Peter Ott
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
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6
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Deutsch-Link S, Moon AM. The Ongoing Debate of Serum Ammonia Levels in Cirrhosis: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Am J Gastroenterol 2023; 118:10-13. [PMID: 36001400 PMCID: PMC9822843 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Serum ammonia testing in hepatic encephalopathy (HE) has been long debated in the field of hepatology. Although central to the pathophysiology of HE, serum ammonia testing is fraught with complexities that can lead to challenges in laboratory collection and interpretation. Although there is some disagreement across guideline organizations regarding routine testing of ammonia in HE, all acknowledge that normal values, although possible in HE, may warrant reconsideration of the diagnosis. In this study, we propose a nuanced approach to ammonia testing in HE. Serum ammonia testing provides little additional benefit in clinical scenarios with a high or low pretest probability for HE. However, if the pretest probability for HE is uncertain, a low ammonia level may reduce the posttest probability of HE. In this scenario, other etiologies of altered mental status should be explored. Future research should focus on developing a standardized approach to serum ammonia collection, processing, and interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Deutsch-Link
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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7
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Tranah TH, Ballester MP, Carbonell-Asins JA, Ampuero J, Alexandrino G, Caracostea A, Sánchez-Torrijos Y, Thomsen KL, Kerbert AJC, Capilla-Lozano M, Romero-Gómez M, Escudero-García D, Montoliu C, Jalan R, Shawcross DL. Plasma ammonia levels predict hospitalisation with liver-related complications and mortality in clinically stable outpatients with cirrhosis. J Hepatol 2022; 77:1554-1563. [PMID: 35872326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hyperammonaemia is central in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. It also has pleiotropic deleterious effects on several organ systems, such as immune function, sarcopenia, energy metabolism and portal hypertension. This study was performed to test the hypothesis that severity of hyperammonaemia is a risk factor for liver-related complications in clinically stable outpatients with cirrhosis. METHODS We studied 754 clinically stable outpatients with cirrhosis from 3 independent liver units. Baseline ammonia levels were corrected to the upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) for the reference laboratory. The primary endpoint was hospitalisation with liver-related complications (a composite endpoint of bacterial infection, variceal bleeding, overt hepatic encephalopathy, or new onset or worsening of ascites). Multivariable competing risk frailty analyses using fast unified random forests were performed to predict complications and mortality. External validation was carried out using prospective data from 130 patients with cirrhosis in an independent tertiary liver centre. RESULTS Overall, 260 (35%) patients were hospitalised with liver-related complications. On multivariable analysis, AMM-ULN was an independent predictor of both liver-related complications (hazard ratio 2.13; 95% CI 1.89-2.40; p <0.001) and mortality (hazard ratio 1.45; 95% CI 1.20-1.76; p <0.001). The AUROC of AMM-ULN was 77.9% for 1-year liver-related complications, which is higher than traditional severity scores. Statistical differences in survival were found between high and low levels of AMM-ULN both for complications and mortality (p <0.001) using 1.4 as the optimal cut-off from the training set. AMM-ULN remained a key variable for the prediction of complications within the random forests model in the derivation cohort and upon external validation. CONCLUSION Ammonia is an independent predictor of hospitalisation with liver-related complications and mortality in clinically stable outpatients with cirrhosis and performs better than traditional prognostic scores in predicting complications. LAY SUMMARY We conducted a prospective cohort study evaluating the association of blood ammonia levels with the risk of adverse outcomes in 754 patients with stable cirrhosis across 3 independent liver units. We found that ammonia is a key determinant that helps to predict which patients will be hospitalised, develop liver-related complications and die; this was confirmed in an independent cohort of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas H Tranah
- Institute of Liver Studies, Dept of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - María-Pilar Ballester
- Digestive Disease Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, Spain; INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Javier Ampuero
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Universidad de Sevilla, Ciberehd, Spain
| | - Gonçalo Alexandrino
- Institute of Liver Studies, Dept of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Andra Caracostea
- Institute of Liver Studies, Dept of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yolanda Sánchez-Torrijos
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Universidad de Sevilla, Ciberehd, Spain
| | - Karen L Thomsen
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, United Kingdom; Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Annarein J C Kerbert
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, United Kingdom
| | | | - Manuel Romero-Gómez
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Universidad de Sevilla, Ciberehd, Spain
| | | | - Carmina Montoliu
- INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain; Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, United Kingdom; European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif), Spain.
| | - Debbie L Shawcross
- Institute of Liver Studies, Dept of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Mallet M, Desplats V, Bouzbib C, Sultanik P, Alioua I, Marika Rudler MS, Weiss N, Thabut D. Blood ammonia in patients with chronic liver diseases: A better defined role in clinical practice. Anal Biochem 2022; 657:114873. [PMID: 36108794 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia is one of the main players in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with chronic liver diseases. The usefulness of measuring ammonemia has been debated since many years. New data reveal that besides helping in the differential diagnosis of HE, ammonemia could be a prognostic marker not only in patients with HE, but also in patients without any neurological symptoms, suggesting a potential toxic role of ammonia beyond the brain. Finally, targeting ammonemia while monitoring therapeutic response could be a way to improve outcomes in patients with HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Mallet
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France
| | - Victor Desplats
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France
| | - Charlotte Bouzbib
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France
| | - Philippe Sultanik
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France
| | - Imen Alioua
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), MetaboHUB, F-91191, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - M S Marika Rudler
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Weiss
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Département de Neurologie, Unité de Médecine Intensive Réanimation à orientation Neurologique, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France & Groupe de Recherche Clinique en REanimation et Soins intensifs du Patient en Insuffisance Respiratoire aiguE (GRC-RESPIRE) Sorbonne Université, France
| | - Dominique Thabut
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Service D'hépato-gastroentérologie, Unité de soins intensifs D'hépatologie, Paris, France & Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM UMR_S 938, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Maladies Métaboliques, Biliaires et fibro-inflammatoire du Foie, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, France.
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9
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Jalan R, Rose CF. Heretical thoughts into hepatic encephalopathy. J Hepatol 2022; 77:539-548. [PMID: 35358618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Clinical progress in the development of new diagnostic modalities and therapeutic strategies for the management of patients with hepatic encephalopathy has lagged behind the vast knowledge that has been generated from basic studies. In this article, we critically assess matters that should be revisited, such as definition, classification, diagnosis and grading of hepatic encephalopathy, which are difficult to apply reproducibly using the current criteria. Many lines of investigation have confirmed that hepatic encephalopathy is irreversible in many patients and suggest the need for further studies focussing on mechanisms of neuronal injury and death, to guide future drug development for these patients. The clinical evidence behind using lactulose for all severities of hepatic encephalopathy, which is currently considered the standard of care, is poor and placebo-controlled trials for hepatic encephalopathy should be considered ethically sound. This expert opinion identifies current challenges in hepatic encephalopathy and highlights areas which require further debate and investigation in order to help advance the field both scientifically and clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Christopher F Rose
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
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10
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Häussinger D, Dhiman RK, Felipo V, Görg B, Jalan R, Kircheis G, Merli M, Montagnese S, Romero-Gomez M, Schnitzler A, Taylor-Robinson SD, Vilstrup H. Hepatic encephalopathy. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2022; 8:43. [PMID: 35739133 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-022-00366-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a prognostically relevant neuropsychiatric syndrome that occurs in the course of acute or chronic liver disease. Besides ascites and variceal bleeding, it is the most serious complication of decompensated liver cirrhosis. Ammonia and inflammation are major triggers for the appearance of HE, which in patients with liver cirrhosis involves pathophysiologically low-grade cerebral oedema with oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation and disturbances of oscillatory networks in the brain. Severity classification and diagnostic approaches regarding mild forms of HE are still a matter of debate. Current medical treatment predominantly involves lactulose and rifaximin following rigorous treatment of so-called known HE precipitating factors. New treatments based on an improved pathophysiological understanding are emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Häussinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Radha K Dhiman
- Department of Hepatology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, (Uttar Pradesh), India
| | - Vicente Felipo
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Boris Görg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group ILDH, Division of Medicine, UCL Medical School, Royal Free Campus, London, UK.,European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerald Kircheis
- Department of Gastroenterology, Diabetology and Hepatology, University Hospital Brandenburg an der Havel, Brandenburg Medical School, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Manuela Merli
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Universita' degli Studi di Roma - Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Manuel Romero-Gomez
- UCM Digestive Diseases, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (HUVR/CSIC/US), University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Alfons Schnitzler
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Simon D Taylor-Robinson
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, St. Mary's Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Hendrik Vilstrup
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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11
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Serum Ammonia in Cirrhosis: Clinical Impact of Hyperammonemia, Utility of Testing, and National Testing Trends. Clin Ther 2022; 44:e45-e57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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12
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Burra P, Samuel D, Sundaram V, Duvoux C, Petrowsky H, Terrault N, Jalan R. Limitations of current liver donor allocation systems and the impact of newer indications for liver transplantation. J Hepatol 2021; 75 Suppl 1:S178-S190. [PMID: 34039488 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver transplantation represents a life-saving treatment for patients with decompensated cirrhosis, a severe condition associated with a high risk of waiting list mortality. When decompensation occurs rapidly in the presence of extrahepatic organ failures, the condition is called acute-on-chronic liver failure, which is associated with an even higher risk of death, though liver transplantation can also markedly improve survival in affected patients. However, there are still gaps in our understanding of how to optimise prioritisation and organ allocation, as well as survival among patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (both before and after transplant). Moreover, it is urgent to address inequalities in access to liver transplantation in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Several controversies still exist regarding gender and regional disparities, as well as the use of suboptimal donor grafts. In this review, we aim to provide a critical perspective on the role of liver transplantation in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and address areas of ongoing uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Burra
- Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
| | - Didier Samuel
- Centre Hépato-Biliaire, Paris-Saclay University, Inserm research unit 1193, Hôpital Paul Brousse, Villejuif, France
| | - Vinay Sundaram
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christophe Duvoux
- Department of Hepatology and Medical Liver Transplant Unit Henri Mondor Hospital-APHP, Paris Est University (UPEC), Créteil, France
| | - Henrik Petrowsky
- Swiss HPB and Transplantation Center Department of Surgery and Transplantation University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Norah Terrault
- Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA, United States
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London and European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Ochoa-Sanchez R, Tamnanloo F, Rose CF. Hepatic Encephalopathy: From Metabolic to Neurodegenerative. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:2612-2625. [PMID: 34129161 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03372-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome of both acute and chronic liver disease. As a metabolic disorder, HE is considered to be reversible and therefore is expected to resolve following the replacement of the diseased liver with a healthy liver. However, persisting neurological complications are observed in up to 47% of transplanted patients. Several retrospective studies have shown that patients with a history of HE, particularly overt-HE, had persistent neurological complications even after liver transplantation (LT). These enduring neurological conditions significantly affect patient's quality of life and continue to add to the economic burden of chronic liver disease on health care systems. This review discusses the journey of the brain through the progression of liver disease, entering the invasive surgical procedure of LT and the conditions associated with the post-transplant period. In particular, it will discuss the vulnerability of the HE brain to peri-operative factors and post-LT conditions which may explain non-resolved neurological impairment following LT. In addition, the review will provide evidence; (i) supporting overt-HE impacts on neurological complications post-LT; (ii) that overt-HE leads to permanent neuronal injury and (iii) the pathophysiological role of ammonia toxicity on astrocyte and neuronal injury/damage. Together, these findings will provide new insights on the underlying mechanisms leading to neurological complications post-LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Ochoa-Sanchez
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, 900, rue Saint-Denis Pavillon R, R08.422, Montreal, QC, H2X-0A9, Canada
| | - Farzaneh Tamnanloo
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, 900, rue Saint-Denis Pavillon R, R08.422, Montreal, QC, H2X-0A9, Canada
| | - Christopher F Rose
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, 900, rue Saint-Denis Pavillon R, R08.422, Montreal, QC, H2X-0A9, Canada.
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14
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Rose CF, Jalan R. Judging the value of ammonia measurement on lactulose dosing: Apples and oranges? CANADIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2021; 4:72-74. [DOI: 10.3138/canlivj-2020-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher F Rose
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- University College London – Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health London, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Chiriac S, Stanciu C, Cojocariu C, Singeap AM, Sfarti C, Cuciureanu T, Girleanu I, Igna RA, Trifan A. Role of ammonia in predicting the outcome of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:552-564. [PMID: 33553393 PMCID: PMC7829715 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i3.552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High venous ammonia (VA) values have been proven to be a part of the mechanism of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) as well as acute hepatitis. Moreover, VA has been associated with poor prognosis and high mortality in these clinical settings. However, the role of ammonia in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has not yet been clearly established.
AIM To assess the role of VA in predicting the outcome of cirrhotic patients with ACLF in a tertiary care center.
METHODS We performed a retrospective observational study including consecutive patients with LC hospitalized for acute non-elective indications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), upper gastrointestinal bleeding, or bacterial infections that fulfilled the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) criteria for ACLF. The study was conducted in “St. Spiridon” University Hospital, Iasi, Romania, a tertiary care center, between January 2017 and January 2019. The APASL ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) score was calculated and ACLF grade was established accordingly. West-haven classification was used for HE. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 22.0.
RESULTS Four hundred and forty-six patients were included, aged 59 (50-65) years, 57.4% men. Child-Pugh, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and AARC scores were 11 (10-12), 19.13 ± 6.79, and 7 (6-8), respectively. 66.4% had ACLF grade I, 31.2% ACLF grade II, and 2.5% ACLF grade III. HE was diagnosed in 83.9%, 34% grade I, 37.2% grade II, 23.5% grade III, and 5.3% grade IV. Overall mortality was 7.8%. VA was 103 (78-148) μmol/L. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed good accuracy for the prediction of in-hospital mortality for the AARC score [Area under the curve (AUC) = 0.886], MELD score (AUC = 0.816), VA (AUC = 0.812) and a fair accuracy for the Child-Pugh score (AUC = 0.799). Subsequently, a cut-off value for the prediction of mortality was identified for VA (152.5 μmol/L, sensitivity = 0.706, 1-specificity = 0.190). Univariate analysis found acute kidney injury, severe HE (grade III or IV), VA ≥ 152.5 μmol/L, MELD score ≥ 22.5, Child-Pugh score ≥ 12.5, and AARC score ≥ 8.5 to be associated with in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis identified AARC score ≥ 8.5 and venous ammonia ≥ 152 μmol/L to be independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.
CONCLUSION VA could be used as an inexpensive predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with ACLF. Patients with both ACLF and VA > 152.5 μmol/L have a high risk for a poor outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Chiriac
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency Hospital, Iasi 700111, Romania
| | - Carol Stanciu
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency Hospital, Iasi 700111, Romania
| | - Camelia Cojocariu
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency Hospital, Iasi 700111, Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Singeap
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency Hospital, Iasi 700111, Romania
| | - Catalin Sfarti
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency Hospital, Iasi 700111, Romania
| | - Tudor Cuciureanu
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
| | - Irina Girleanu
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency Hospital, Iasi 700111, Romania
| | - Razvan Alexandru Igna
- Intensive Care, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
| | - Anca Trifan
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency Hospital, Iasi 700111, Romania
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16
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Rose CF, Amodio P, Bajaj JS, Dhiman RK, Montagnese S, Taylor-Robinson SD, Vilstrup H, Jalan R. Hepatic encephalopathy: Novel insights into classification, pathophysiology and therapy. J Hepatol 2020; 73:1526-1547. [PMID: 33097308 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a frequent and serious complication of both chronic liver disease and acute liver failure. HE manifests as a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities, from subclinical changes (mild cognitive impairment) to marked disorientation, confusion and coma. The clinical and economic burden of HE is considerable, and it contributes greatly to impaired quality of life, morbidity and mortality. This review will critically discuss the latest classification of HE, as well as the pathogenesis and pathophysiological pathways underlying the neurological decline in patients with end-stage liver disease. In addition, management strategies, diagnostic approaches, currently available therapeutic options and novel treatment strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher F Rose
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Piero Amodio
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Radha Krishan Dhiman
- Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Simon D Taylor-Robinson
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, St. Mary's Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hendrik Vilstrup
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom; European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain.
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17
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Hu C, Huang K, Zhao L, Zhang F, Wu Z, Li L. Serum ammonia is a strong prognostic factor for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16970. [PMID: 33046732 PMCID: PMC7550336 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ammonia is thought to be central to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), but its prognostic role in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is still unknown. We aimed to determine the association between serum ammonia level and short-term prognosis in ACLF. Furthermore, we performed an in-depth evaluation of the independent effect of serum ammonia level on the short-term prognosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation-induced ACLF patients. We identified 174 patients as part of prospective observational studies in patients with ACLF. Plasma ammonia levels were measured on admission, and several prognostic scores were used to determine the prognostic effect of ammonia. The 28-day patient survival was determined. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to identify the cut-off points for ammonia values, and multivariable analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Plasma ammonia was significantly higher in nonsurvivors (83.53 ± 43.78 versus 67.13 ± 41.77 µmol/L, P = 0.013), and ACLF patients with hyperammonemia had significantly higher 28-day mortality than those without hyperammonemia. Ammonia was also closely related to ACLF grade (P < 0.001) and organ failure, including liver (P = 0.048), coagulation (P < 0.001) and brain (P < 0.001). HBV reactivation serves as the main precipitating factor in the ACLF population. Subgroup analysis showed that ammonia is also a strong prognostic factor in the HBV reactivation-induced ACLF population. Ammonia level is closely correlated with failure of other organs and is an independent risk factor for mortality in ACLF and the special population defined as HBV reactivation-related ACLF. Based on the results from our study, we measured serum ammonia in the population with ACLF, which strongly indicates their prognosis. It serves as an important biomarker and a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxia Hu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaizhou Huang
- Shantou Central Hospital, Affiliated Shantou Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingfei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Kidney Disease Center, Institute of Nephrology, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Fen Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongwen Wu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.,National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lanjuan Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Zhang J, Liu X, Ye B, Chen H. Ammonia predicts poor outcomes in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure. J Clin Lab Anal 2020; 34:e23553. [PMID: 32914901 PMCID: PMC7755815 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common feature of acute liver failure and has been reported to be associated with poor outcomes. Ammonia is thought to be central to the pathogenesis of HE, but its role in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is unclear. The present study aimed to assess the prognostic role of ammonia level for patients with HBV-ACLF. METHODS We retrospectively recruited 127 patients diagnosed with HBV-ACLF for the present study. RESULTS Ammonia levels at the time of admission were higher among non-surviving participants than in survivors. Increased ammonia level was found to be associated with severe liver disease and was identified as an independent predictor for mortality in patients with HBV-ACLF. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that high ammonia level at admission is an independent factor for predicting short-term mortality in patients with HBV-ACLF. Therefore, ammonia levels may represent a therapeutic target for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- JinFei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shengzhou People's Hospital, Shengzhou Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Shengzhou, China
| | - XiaoLu Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bo Ye
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, College of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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19
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Bajaj JS, Lauridsen M, Tapper EB, Duarte-Rojo A, Rahimi RS, Tandon P, Shawcross DL, Thabut D, Dhiman RK, Romero-Gomez M, Sharma BC, Montagnese S. Important Unresolved Questions in the Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy: An ISHEN Consensus. Am J Gastroenterol 2020; 115:989-1002. [PMID: 32618647 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Management of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) remains challenging from a medical and psychosocial perspective. Members of the International Society for Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen Metabolism recognized 5 key unresolved questions in HE management focused on (i) driving, (ii) ammonia levels in clinical practice, (iii) testing strategies for covert or minimal HE, (iv) therapeutic options, and (v) nutrition and patient-reported outcomes. The consensus document addresses these topical issues with a succinct review of the literature and statements that critically evaluate the current science and practice, laying the groundwork for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Virginia Commonwealth University, McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dominique Thabut
- Paris Sorbonne Université, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Radha K Dhiman
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
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20
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Shalimar, Rout G, Kumar R, Singh AD, Sharma S, Gunjan D, Saraya A, Nayak B, Acharya SK. Persistent or incident hyperammonemia is associated with poor outcomes in acute decompensation and acute-on-chronic liver failure. JGH OPEN 2020; 4:843-850. [PMID: 33102753 PMCID: PMC7578315 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aim The effect of elevated ammonia on organ failures (OF), apart from hepatic encephalopathy, in patients with acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis and acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) is unclear. We aimed to assess the effect of persistent or incident hyperammonemia on OF and outcomes in patients with AD and ACLF. Methods A total of 229 patients with ACLF and 83 with AD were included. Arterial ammonia was measured on day 1 and day 3 of admission. Persistent or incident hyperammonemia was defined as a level of ≥79.5 μmol/L on day 3. The changes in ammonia levels during the first 3 days were analyzed with respect to the complications and outcomes. Results At admission, the median level of arterial ammonia was higher in ACLF compared to AD patients (103 vs 86 μmol/L, P < 0.001). Persistent or incident hyperammonemia was noted in 206 (66.0%) patients and was more frequent in ACLF compared to AD patients (70.7 vs 53.0%, P = 0.013). Patients with persistent or incident hyperammonemia, compared to those without it, developed a higher proportion of new‐onset OF during hospitalization involving liver (P = 0.018), kidney (P = 0.001), brain (P = 0.005), coagulation (P = 0.036), circulation (P = 0.002), and respiratory (P = 0.003) issues and had higher 28‐day mortality (log‐rank test, P < 0.001). After adjustment for chronic liver failure consortium ACLF score, persistent or incident hyperammonemia (hazard ratio, 3.174) was independently associated with 28‐day mortality. The presence of infection was an independent predictor of persistent or incident hyperammonemia. Conclusion Persistent or incident hyperammonemia during first 3 days of hospitalization in patients with AD or ACLF is associated with increased risk of OF and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalimar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Gyanranjan Rout
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Gastroenterology All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna India
| | - Achintya D Singh
- Department of Internal Medicine Cleveland Clinic Cleveland Ohio USA
| | - Sanchit Sharma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Deepak Gunjan
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Anoop Saraya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Baibaswata Nayak
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India
| | - Subrat K Acharya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India
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21
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Matoori S, Bao Y, Schmidt A, Fischer EJ, Ochoa-Sanchez R, Tremblay M, Oliveira MM, Rose CF, Leroux JC. An Investigation of PS-b-PEO Polymersomes for the Oral Treatment and Diagnosis of Hyperammonemia. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1902347. [PMID: 31721441 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201902347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia-scavenging transmembrane pH-gradient poly(styrene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) polymersomes are investigated for the oral treatment and diagnosis of hyperammonemia, a condition associated with serious neurologic complications in patients with liver disease as well as in infants with urea cycle disorders. While these polymersomes are highly stable in simulated intestinal fluids at extreme bile salt and osmolality conditions, they unexpectedly do not reduce plasmatic ammonia levels in cirrhotic rats after oral dosing. Incubation in dietary fiber hydrogels mimicking the colonic environment suggests that the vesicles are probably destabilized during the dehydration of the intestinal chyme. The findings question the relevance of commonly used simulated intestinal fluids for studying vesicular stability. With the encapsulation of a pH-sensitive dye in the polymersome core, the local pH increase upon ammonia influx could be exploited to assess the ammonia concentration in the plasma of healthy and cirrhotic rats as well as in other fluids. Due to its high sensitivity and selectivity, this polymersome-based assay could prove useful in the monitoring of hyperammonemic patients and in other applications such as drug screening tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Matoori
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Yinyin Bao
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Aaron Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Eric J Fischer
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | | | - Mélanie Tremblay
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Montréal, H2X 0A9, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | - Jean-Christophe Leroux
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
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22
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Okabayashi T, Sui K, Mastumoto T, Iwata J, Morita S, Iiyama T, Shimada Y. l-Carnitine Improves Postoperative Liver Function in Hepatectomized Patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 2019; 44:823-830. [PMID: 31599019 DOI: 10.1002/jpen.1720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The effect of perioperative treatment with l-carnitine in hepatectomized patients is unclear. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the short-term outcomes after liver cancer surgery in patients treated with l-carnitine compared with nontreated patients. METHODS Patients with primary liver malignancies scheduled to undergo a hepatectomy were randomly assigned to receive either perioperative treatment with l-carnitine (carnitine group) or usual intake (control group). The primary endpoint of this study was the short-term outcome after liver surgery. RESULTS The study participants were randomly assigned into 2 groups: 106 patients in the control group and 102 patients in the perioperative l-carnitine supplementation group. The restoration of serum ammonia levels, prothrombin time, and peripheral neutrophil count at 3 days after the operation was significantly faster in the carnitine group than in the control group. Fewer patients in the carnitine group developed grade B posthepatic liver failure, according to the grading system of the International Study Group of Liver Surgery, than patients in the control group (20% vs 76%). The length of hospitalization was significantly shorter in patients in the carnitine group than in those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS We found that perioperative treatment with l-carnitine was significantly better than ordinary treatment in reducing postoperative serum ammonia levels, suggesting that l-carnitine may serve as a pivotal regulator of liver injury and repair and result in shorter postoperative hospitalization (ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration no. NCT03021876).
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehiro Okabayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kōchi Health Sciences Center, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Kenta Sui
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kōchi Health Sciences Center, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Takatsugu Mastumoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kōchi Health Sciences Center, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Jun Iwata
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kōchi Health Sciences Center, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Sojiro Morita
- Department of Radiology, Kōchi Health Sciences Center, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Iiyama
- Department of Biostatistics, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Kōchi, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Shimada
- Department of Clinical Oncology at Kōchi Health Sciences Center, Kōchi, Japan
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23
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Choudhary NS, Saigal S, Saraf N, Soin AS. Letter to Editor: Prognostic Role of Ammonia in Patients With Cirrhosis. Hepatology 2019; 70:1083-1084. [PMID: 31077595 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Narendra S Choudhary
- Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, India
| | - Sanjiv Saigal
- Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, India
| | - Neeraj Saraf
- Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, India
| | - Arvinder S Soin
- Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, India
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24
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Shalimar, Sheikh MF, Mookerjee RP, Agarwal B, Acharya SK, Jalan R. Prognostic Role of Ammonia in Patients With Cirrhosis. Hepatology 2019; 70:982-994. [PMID: 30703853 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia is thought to be central to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), but its prognostic role in patients with cirrhosis and acute decompensation is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine the relationship between ammonia levels and severity of HE and its association with organ dysfunction and short-term mortality. We identified 498 patients from two institutions as part of prospective observational studies in patients with cirrhosis. Plasma ammonia levels were measured on admission and Chronic Liver Failure-Sequential Organ Failure Assessment criteria were used to determine the presence of organ failures. The 28-day patient survival was determined. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to identify the cutoff points for ammonia values, and multivariable analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. The 28-day mortality was 43.4%. Plasma ammonia correlated with severity of HE (P < 0.001), was significantly higher in nonsurvivors (93 [73-121] versus 67 [55-89] µmol/L, P < 0.001), and was an independent predictor of 28-day mortality (hazard ratio, 1.009, P < 0.001). An ammonia level of 79.5 µmol/L had sensitivity of 68.1% and specificity of 67.4% for predicting 28-day mortality. An ammonia level of ≥79.5 µmol/L was associated with a higher frequency of organ failures (liver [P = 0.004], coagulation [P < 0.001], kidney [P = 0.004], and respiratory [P < 0.001]). Lack of improvement in baseline ammonia at day 5 was associated with high mortality (70.6%). Conclusion: Ammonia level correlates with not only the severity of HE but also the failure of other organs and is an independent risk factor for mortality; lack of improvement in ammonia level is associated with high risk of death, making it an important biomarker and a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalimar
- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohammed Faisal Sheikh
- Liver Failure Group, UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, UCL Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Rajeshwar P Mookerjee
- Liver Failure Group, UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, UCL Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Banwari Agarwal
- Liver Failure Group, UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, UCL Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.,Intensive Care Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Subrat Kumar Acharya
- Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- Liver Failure Group, UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, UCL Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
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25
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Mallet M, Weiss N, Thabut D, Rudler M. Why and when to measure ammonemia in cirrhosis? Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2018; 42:505-511. [PMID: 29551609 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hyperammonemia plays a key role in the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and most HE treatments are ammonia-lowering drugs. However, the usefulness of measuring ammonemia in routine practice remains controversial and not recommended systematically even when neurological symptoms are present. First, ammonemia measurement should be carefully performed in order to avoid a falsely elevated result. When performed, a normal ammonemia in a cirrhotic patient with neurological symptoms should lead to reconsider the diagnosis of HE. Indeed, literature data show that most cirrhotic patients with HE have an elevated ammonemia, which is however individually poorly correlated with the severity of symptoms. Nevertheless, elevated ammonemia seems to be a factor of bad prognosis in cirrhosis. A decrease in ammonemia after treatments is well proven but it is not determined whether it is associated with clinical efficacy. Repeated measurements could be useful in this context, especially in non-responders, to help differentiating other causes of encephalopathy, such as drug induced. In acute liver failure, the prognostic value of hyperammonemia is well described and could help an early recognition the most severe forms of this disease. We will also discuss how integrating ammonemia into the diagnostic work-up of liver failure and/or encephalopathy. Ammonemia is also essential to diagnose urea cycle disorders or drug toxicity that both need specific interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Mallet
- Unité de soins intensifs d'hépatologie, service d'hépato-gastro-entérologie, groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles-Foix, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, & Sorbonne universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France; Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) study group, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Weiss
- Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) study group, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France; Sorbonne universités, UPMC université Paris 06, France & unité de réanimation neurologique, département de neurologie, groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles-Foix, pôle des maladies du système nerveux et institut de neurosciences translationnelles, IHU-A-ICM, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Dominique Thabut
- Unité de soins intensifs d'hépatologie, service d'hépato-gastro-entérologie, groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles-Foix, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, & Sorbonne universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France; Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) study group, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Marika Rudler
- Unité de soins intensifs d'hépatologie, service d'hépato-gastro-entérologie, groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles-Foix, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, & Sorbonne universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France; Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) study group, 47, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France.
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26
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Weiss N, Dam G, Rose CF. Ammonia: This is not the end but rather the end of the beginning. J Hepatol 2018; 68:1110-1113. [PMID: 29626494 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Weiss
- Sorbonne Université, Brain Liver Pitié-Salpêtrière (BLIPS) Study Group, INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Groupement Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière Charles Foix, Département de Neurologie, Unité de réanimation neurologique, Paris, France
| | - Gitte Dam
- Department of Medicine V (Hepatology and Gastroenterology), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christopher F Rose
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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27
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Ravi S, Bade KS, Hasanin M, Singal AK. Ammonia level at admission predicts in-hospital mortality for patients with alcoholic hepatitis. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2016; 5:232-236. [PMID: 27132633 PMCID: PMC5554393 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/gow010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcoholic hepatitis (AH), a unique clinical syndrome among patients with chronic and active alcohol use, is associated with high short-term mortality. An elevated ammonia level is associated with mortality in patients with acute liver failure; however, its impact in AH has not been well-studied. METHODS A retrospective study was performed on patients admitted to a tertiary-care hospital with the discharge diagnosis of AH. Patients meeting criteria for AH were included in the final data analysis. Multivariate logistic regression models were built to examine the impact of serum ammonia in predicting in-hospital mortality (IHM) and 30-day mortality (TDM). Subgroup analysis was also performed, which was limited to patients who had hepatic encephalopathy. RESULTS Of the 105 AH patients included, 26 (25%) died during the initial hospitalization. Among the 79 patients who survived initial hospitalization, 30 (39%) died within 30 days. Information about ammonia levels at admission was available for 82 patients. Of these, 25 patients had IHM and significantly higher ammonia level (97 vs. 69 μmol/L, P < 0.01). Among the 57 who survived hospitalization, ammonia levels were not significantly different (71 vs. 67 μmol/L, P = 0.69) in patients with and without TDM. The addition of ammonia to the multivariate regression models including age, sex, cirrhosis, treatment and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score improved the C statistics for IHM from 0.708 to 0.801 and for TDM from 0.756 to 0.766, respectively. These results were identical, even when limited to patients with hepatic encephalopathy. CONCLUSION AH patients with elevated ammonia levels at admission have higher IHM; however, they do not seem to play a significant role in 30-day mortality for patients who survived hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujan Ravi
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kaely S Bade
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Mohsen Hasanin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Ashwani K Singal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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