Encefalopatía asociada a Valproato

Valproate can be associated to hyperammonemic encephalopathy, characterized by fluctuating sudden-onset alterations of sensorium, focal symptoms and an increase in the frequency of seizures. We report a 78 year-old female using valproate 1,000 mg/ day for 10 months for the treatment to tonic-clonic...

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Autores principales: Young,Pablo, Finn,Bárbara C, Álvarez,Florencia, Bruetman,Julio E, Trimarchi,Hernán
Lenguaje:Spanish / Castilian
Publicado: Sociedad Médica de Santiago 2007
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Acceso en línea:http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-98872007001100011
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Sumario:Valproate can be associated to hyperammonemic encephalopathy, characterized by fluctuating sudden-onset alterations of sensorium, focal symptoms and an increase in the frequency of seizures. We report a 78 year-old female using valproate 1,000 mg/ day for 10 months for the treatment to tonic-clonic seizures. She was admitted on three occasions in the last fourth months for self limited clouding of sensorium. Laboratory, imaging and electroencephalografic studies were non-contributory Blood ammonia levels were 123 fig/dl (normal: 15-50 fig/dl). Due to the possibility of a hyperammonemic encephalopathy secondary to valproate, the drug was discontinued and she was treated with lactulose and intravenous L-carnitine, 1 g/day The patient showed a complete recovery within 48 hours. This drug-associated encephalopathy is a reversible but potentially fatal cause, probably underdiagnosed, that requires a high index of suspicion