Changes of EEG and pulmonary venous admixture during a protein load in patients with cirrhosis

21 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and 24 control patients were studied before and after a protein load (120 g protein per day during one week). An EEG was recorded and a visual assessment of frequency pattern was performed. Venous admixture was estimated during hyperoxia. According to the EEG frequency pattern the patient group with cirrhosis was subdivided into those with EEG slowing after the protein load (n = 7) and those without (n = 14). The following results were obtained: 1) Resting arterial blood gases did not change in either group. 2) There was a significant increase of the AaD02 (difference between alveolar p02 and peripheral arterial p02) in cirrhotics and controls. 3) The increase in AaD02 was significantly larger in those cirrhotics showing EEG slowing compared to those without EEG - slowing or to the controls. 4) Fractional venous admisture increased significantly in those cirrhotics showing EEG slowing. There was no significant change in those patients who did not show EEG changes or in the controls.