ACG Clinical Guideline: Hepatic Encephalopathy
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy is a major and burdensome complication of cirrhosis, with significant consequences for patients, families, and healthcare systems. Its progression from covert to overt disease is not fully reflected in current transplant listing criteria, leaving many patients inadequately prioritized for transplantation despite substantial impairment in quality of life. This guideline of the American College of Gastroenterology presents 24 recommendations for the diagnosis, management, and prevention strategies for hepatic encephalopathy. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation process was used to assess the quality of evidence for each statement. Key concepts are also provided for statements to which the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation process has not been applied.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Liver Disease and Transplantation
Organ Transplantation Techniques and Outcomes
Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The American Journal of Gastroenterology
- Publisher
- Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
- Volume
- 121
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 588–618
- Publication date
- 1 March 2026
- Language
- EN