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Intravascular Resuscitation Benefits Compared to Lactulose in Dehydration-Associated Pseudo-Hyperammonemia Causing Altered Mental Status

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Hyperammonemia is a leading cause of encephalopathy in patients presenting with altered mental status. Hyperammonemia is mostly a result of liver cirrhosis, with treatment requiring lactulose and, in some cases, rifaximin to break down ammonia production and decrease ammonia absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a case of acute metabolic encephalopathy secondary to mildly elevated ammonia levels of 39 μmol/L (<35 μmol/L) that resolved with fluid bolus and maintenance fluid for 30 hours without requiring lactulose or rifaximin.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.73191

Authors: Oluwafemi Olukayode, Nivedha Balaji, Woodly Dominique, Abijha Boban, Zahra'a Salah

Institution: Northeast Georgia Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Liver Disease and Transplantation

Subfield: Hepatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4404146181