Hyperammonemia in the ICU.

Published

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

Pubmed Central ID

  • 17934124

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0012-3692

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1378/chest.06-2940

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States