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Abstract
The results of the treatment and the possible prevention of acute hepatic encephalopathy
by the intravenous administration of levodopa to cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal
bleeding are described. In all four patients there was a striking improvement of the
comatose state together with a reversion to normal of the previously abnormal electroencephalogram
within several hours. The improvement of hepatic coma by the administration of levodopa
and other clinical and experimental evidence suggest that there may be a disturbed
dopaminergic transmission in this condition.
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Article info
Publication history
Received:
September 11,
1973
Identification
Copyright
© 1974 Published by Elsevier Inc.
