[Parenteral nutrition in hepatic coma (author's transl)]

A special program of parenteral nutrition was established in 16 patients with genuine hepatic coma and in 24 patients with portal encephalopathy; this program involves stepwise addition of various nutritional components. On the day of admission water and electrolyte balance is normalized, on the following morning infusions with 40% glucose solutions are started, and the patient is adapted to glucose as the source of calories within the next 48 hours. After this period total parenteral nutrition is instituted comprising all essential ingredients of nutrition. Application of amino acids was especially adjusted to the situation of hepatic coma taking into account not only the typical derangements of metabolism in hepatic coma, but the essential complications of this disease as well. Serial determinations of plasma amino acids were done in order to assess the program of nutrition. Before the beginning of parenteral nutrition plasma levels of amino acids were altered in a manner typical for liver failure; these alterations could be normalized almost completely by total parenteral nutrition.