Abstract | BACKGROUND/AIMS: METHODOLOGY: RESULTS: Clinically, 3 patients who initially had grade O/II encephalopathy, did not progress, and have fully recovered. The mean peak prothrombin time, serum factor V, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, all significantly improved. Four patients (57%) have recovered fully (1 patient, although fully recovered, died later from an unrelated cause). Two patients required orthotopic liver transplantation and 1 patient died. N-acetylcysteine administration may have prevented progression to grade III/IV encephalopathy and improved serum coagulation factors. This may account for its beneficial effect on survival in patients who had poor prognostic criteria at base-line. No side effects of the drug were noted. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Z Ben-Ari, H Vaknin, R Tur-Kaspa |
Journal | Hepato-gastroenterology
(Hepatogastroenterology)
2000 May-Jun
Vol. 47
Issue 33
Pg. 786-9
ISSN: 0172-6390 [Print] Greece |
PMID | 10919033
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Free Radical Scavengers
- Acetylcysteine
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Topics |
- Acetylcysteine
(therapeutic use)
- Adolescent
- Disease Progression
- Female
- Free Radical Scavengers
(therapeutic use)
- Hepatic Encephalopathy
(prevention & control)
- Humans
- Liver Failure, Acute
(drug therapy, metabolism)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Oxygen Consumption
(drug effects)
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