Does propranolol precipitate hepatic encephalopathy? 1986

R H Wiesner

A 52-year-old woman with primary biliary cirrhosis who had never had hepatic coma developed it while taking propranolol. The coma receded when the propranolol was stopped and 2 days later gastrointestinal bleeding did not precipitate hepatic coma. This raises the question whether propranolol and other beta blockers lead to hepatic encephalopathy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008105 Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary FIBROSIS of the hepatic parenchyma due to obstruction of BILE flow (CHOLESTASIS) in the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts (BILE DUCTS, INTRAHEPATIC; BILE DUCTS, EXTRAHEPATIC). Primary biliary cholangitis involves the destruction of small intra-hepatic bile ducts and decreased bile secretion. Secondary biliary cholangitis is produced by prolonged obstruction of large intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts from a variety of causes. Biliary Cirrhosis,Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary,Biliary Cirrhosis, Secondary,Cholangitis, Chronic Nonsuppurative Destructive,Liver Cirrhosis, Obstructive,Primary Biliary Cholangitis,Biliary Cirrhosis, Primary, 1,Primary Biliary Cirrhosis,Secondary Biliary Cholangitis,Secondary Biliary Cirrhosis,Biliary Cholangitides, Primary,Biliary Cholangitis, Primary,Biliary Cholangitis, Secondary,Cholangitides, Primary Biliary,Cholangitis, Primary Biliary,Cholangitis, Secondary Biliary,Cirrhosis, Biliary,Cirrhosis, Secondary Biliary,Liver Cirrhoses, Biliary,Obstructive Liver Cirrhosis,Primary Biliary Cholangitides,Secondary Biliary Cholangitides
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011433 Propranolol A widely used non-cardioselective beta-adrenergic antagonist. Propranolol has been used for MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION; ARRHYTHMIA; ANGINA PECTORIS; HYPERTENSION; HYPERTHYROIDISM; MIGRAINE; PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA; and ANXIETY but adverse effects instigate replacement by newer drugs. Dexpropranolol,AY-20694,Anaprilin,Anapriline,Avlocardyl,Betadren,Dociton,Inderal,Obsidan,Obzidan,Propanolol,Propranolol Hydrochloride,Rexigen,AY 20694,AY20694,Hydrochloride, Propranolol
D004932 Esophageal and Gastric Varices Dilated blood vessels in the ESOPHAGUS or GASTRIC FUNDUS that shunt blood from the portal circulation (PORTAL SYSTEM) to the systemic venous circulation. Often they are observed in individuals with portal hypertension (HYPERTENSION, PORTAL). Esophageal Varices,Gastric Varices,Esophageal Varix,Gastric Varix,Varices, Esophageal,Varices, Gastric,Varix, Esophageal,Varix, Gastric
D005260 Female Females
D006471 Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Bleeding in any segment of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT from ESOPHAGUS to RECTUM. Hematochezia,Hemorrhage, Gastrointestinal,Gastrointestinal Hemorrhages,Hematochezias
D006501 Hepatic Encephalopathy A syndrome characterized by central nervous system dysfunction in association with LIVER FAILURE, including portal-systemic shunts. Clinical features include lethargy and CONFUSION (frequently progressing to COMA); ASTERIXIS; NYSTAGMUS, PATHOLOGIC; brisk oculovestibular reflexes; decorticate and decerebrate posturing; MUSCLE SPASTICITY; and bilateral extensor plantar reflexes (see REFLEX, BABINSKI). ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY may demonstrate triphasic waves. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1117-20; Plum & Posner, Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma, 3rd ed, p222-5) Encephalopathy, Hepatic,Portosystemic Encephalopathy,Encephalopathy, Hepatocerebral,Encephalopathy, Portal-Systemic,Encephalopathy, Portosystemic,Fulminant Hepatic Failure with Cerebral Edema,Hepatic Coma,Hepatic Stupor,Hepatocerebral Encephalopathy,Portal-Systemic Encephalopathy,Coma, Hepatic,Comas, Hepatic,Encephalopathies, Hepatic,Encephalopathies, Hepatocerebral,Encephalopathies, Portal-Systemic,Encephalopathies, Portosystemic,Encephalopathy, Portal Systemic,Hepatic Comas,Hepatic Encephalopathies,Hepatic Stupors,Hepatocerebral Encephalopathies,Portal Systemic Encephalopathy,Portal-Systemic Encephalopathies,Portosystemic Encephalopathies,Stupor, Hepatic,Stupors, Hepatic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

Related Publications

R H Wiesner
October 1983, British medical journal (Clinical research ed.),
R H Wiesner
October 1982, Lancet (London, England),
R H Wiesner
August 1983, British medical journal (Clinical research ed.),
R H Wiesner
January 1987, Minerva dietologica e gastroenterologica,
R H Wiesner
December 1989, Annales de gastroenterologie et d'hepatologie,
R H Wiesner
January 2003, Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946),
Copied contents to your clipboard!