Hyperammonemia in the ICU.
Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)
Patients experiencing acute elevations of ammonia present to the ICU with encephalopathy, which may progress quickly to cerebral herniation. Patient survival requires immediate treatment of intracerebral hypertension and the reduction of ammonia levels. When hyperammonemia is not thought to be the result of liver failure, treatment for an occult disorder of metabolism must begin prior to the confirmation of an etiology. This article reviews ammonia metabolism, the effects of ammonia on the brain, the causes of hyperammonemia, and the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism in adult patients.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Clay, AS; Hainline, BE
Published Date
- October 2007
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 132 / 4
Start / End Page
- 1368 - 1378
PubMed ID
- 17934124
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0012-3692
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1378/chest.06-2940
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States