Acetyl-L-Carnitine In Severe Hepatic Encephalopathy
Not Applicable
Completed
- Conditions
- Hepatic Encephalopathy (Grade 3 of the West Haven Grading Scale)
- Interventions
- Drug: placebo
- Registration Number
- NCT01223768
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Catania
- Brief Summary
To assess the clinical efficacy of ALC in the treatment of severe hepatic encephalopathy (grade 3 of the West Haven grading scale), we performed a randomised, double blind placebo-controlled study administering ALC to cirrhotic patients, evaluating the effects on ammonia levels and performance in cognitive functions.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- Not specified
Inclusion Criteria
- patients with severe hepatic encephalopathy (grade 3 of the West Haven grading scale) with hepatic cirrhosis
Exclusion Criteria
- Patients with a history of recent alcohol abuse, patients using psychotropic drugs (e.g., antipsychotics, interferon, benzodiazepines, anti-epileptics, sedatives and antidepressants)
- Other exclusion criteria were the following: major complications of portal hypertension, such as gastrointestinal blood loss, hepatorenal syndrome or bacterial peritonitis; acute superimposed liver injury;patients with metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, unbalanced heart failure and/or respiratory failure or end-stage renal disease; any additional precipitating factors such as high protein intake (additional high-protein meals), constipation; illiteracy.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Acetyl-L-carnitine Acetyl-l-Carnitine - placebo placebo -
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Cannizzaro Hospital
🇮🇹Catania, Italy