Hepatic Coma: Symptoms, Causes & Understanding

A hepatic coma is a state of unconsciousness in which the patient cannot be woken by the use of either standard methods of waking a person or stimulant medication. It is induced by hepatic encephalopathy, a condition in which blood flow to the liver is either reduced or stopped.

Cause

• The cause for a hepatic coma is the buildup of toxins, such as ammonia, in the body. This is the result of the lack of blood flow through the liver which filters these toxins.

Symptoms

• Prior to the onset of the hepatic coma, patients may demonstrate drowsiness, confusion, changes in personality and disorientation, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.

Diagnosis

• The diagnosis of a coma, is based on clinical symptoms such as non-responsiveness to stimulation and altered brain activity, according to neurologychannel.com. A battery of tests including blood tests, gland function tests and imaging tests are typically performed.

Treatment

• The treatments for hepatic coma are the same as those for hepatic encephalopathy. The object is to resolve any underlying causes for the encephalopathy such as drugs or infections and to provide life-supporting services such as artificial breathing.

Long Term

• The long term outlook for patients in a hepatic coma is very poor. The National Institute of Health reports that approximately 80 percent of patients in a hepatic coma will die.