Abstract |
Valproic acid (VPA) is a commonly used drug for epilepsy, psychiatric disorders and migraine and is frequently used in neurosurgical intensive care units. Though most of its side-effects are mild and transient, certain idiosyncratic side-effects have been attributed to VPA. Valproate induced hyperammonemia (VIH) is one such side-effect. VIH can produce symptoms of encephalopathy known as valproate induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy (VHE). VIH and VHE usually respond to withdrawal of VPA. However, in some cases VHE can be unresponsive to supportive measures and severe enough to be life-threatening. In such cases, dialysis can be used to rapidly reverse hyperammonemia and VHE and can prove to be a lifesaving measure. We report such a case of VIH and life-threatening VHE in a postoperative neurosurgical patient that was managed successfully with peritoneal dialysis.
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Authors | Amandeep Kumar, Ashish Suri, Bhawani S Sharma |
Journal | Indian journal of critical care medicine : peer-reviewed, official publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine
(Indian J Crit Care Med)
Vol. 18
Issue 7
Pg. 461-3
(Jul 2014)
ISSN: 0972-5229 [Print] India |
PMID | 25097360
(Publication Type: Case Reports)
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