Metabolism
on-line - the virtual tutorial room
copyright © 2008 - 2015 David A Bender
Hyperammonaemic coma due to liver failure
Objectives
At the end of the session you should be able to:
Explain the origin of plasma enzymes that can be used to assess liver function, and why it is important to know the Km of an enzyme in order to measure it in plasma.
Explain why the elevated transaminases in plasma are different in alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease
Explain how measurement of bilirubin in plasma can differentiate between obstructive jaundice and jaundice due to liver disease.
Explain how hyperammonaemia leads to loss of consciousness, and how lactulose can be used to lower blood ammonia in cases of liver failure.