Asterixis

ICD-10 | R27.8
ICD-9 | 781.3
DiseasesDB | 33950
MeSH | C10.597.350

WikiDoc Resources for Asterixis

Articles

Most recent articles on Asterixis

Most cited articles on Asterixis

Review articles on Asterixis

Articles on Asterixis in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Asterixis

Images of Asterixis

Photos of Asterixis

Podcasts & MP3s on Asterixis

Videos on Asterixis

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Asterixis

Bandolier on Asterixis

TRIP on Asterixis

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Asterixis at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Asterixis

Clinical Trials on Asterixis at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Asterixis

NICE Guidance on Asterixis

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Asterixis

CDC on Asterixis

Books

Books on Asterixis

News

Asterixis in the news

Be alerted to news on Asterixis

News trends on Asterixis

Commentary

Blogs on Asterixis

Definitions

Definitions of Asterixis

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Asterixis

Discussion groups on Asterixis

Patient Handouts on Asterixis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Asterixis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Asterixis

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Asterixis

Causes & Risk Factors for Asterixis

Diagnostic studies for Asterixis

Treatment of Asterixis

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Asterixis

International

Asterixis en Espanol

Asterixis en Francais

Business

Asterixis in the Marketplace

Patents on Asterixis

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Asterixis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: Flapping tremor

## Overview

[edit | edit source]

Asterixis (Greek a, not + stērixis, fixed position) is a flapping tremor of the wrist upon extension (dorsiflexion), sometimes said to resemble a bird flapping its wings. Also called liver flap, it can be a sign of hepatic encephalopathy (damage to brain cells due to the inability of the liver to metabolize ammonia to urea). The exact cause is not known, but it is thought to be related to abnormal ammonia metabolism.

Adams and Foley first described asterixis in 1949 in patients with severe liver failure and encephalopathy.[1] In general, there are brief, arrhythmic interruptions of sustained voluntary muscle contraction causing brief lapses of posture, with a frequency of 3-5 Hz. It is bilateral, but may be asymmetrical. Asterixis is seen most often in drowsy or stuporous patients with metabolic encephalopathies, especially in decompensated cirrhosis or acute hepatic failure. It is also seen in some patients with renal failure and azotemia, and in carbon dioxide toxicity. Asterixis can also be a feature of Wilson's disease.

## Causes

[edit | edit source]

### Life Threatening Causes

[edit | edit source]

### Common Causes

[edit | edit source]

### Causes by Organ System

[edit | edit source]

Cardiovascular | No underlying causes

|

Chemical/Poisoning | No underlying causes
Dental | No underlying causes
Dermatologic | No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect | Ceftazidime
Ear Nose Throat | No underlying causes
Endocrine | No underlying causes
Environmental | No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic | No underlying causes
Genetic | No underlying causes
Hematologic | No underlying causes
Iatrogenic | No underlying causes
Infectious Disease | No underlying causes
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic | No underlying causes
Neurologic | No underlying causes
Nutritional/Metabolic | No underlying causes
Obstetric/Gynecologic | No underlying causes
Oncologic | No underlying causes
Ophthalmologic | No underlying causes
Overdose/Toxicity | No underlying causes
Psychiatric | No underlying causes
Pulmonary | No underlying causes
Renal/Electrolyte | No underlying causes
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy | No underlying causes
Sexual | No underlying causes
Trauma | No underlying causes
Urologic | No underlying causes
Miscellaneous | No underlying causes

### Causes in Alphabetical Order

[edit | edit source]

* Ceftazidime

|
|

## References

[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ Adams RD, Foley JM. The neurological changes in the more common types of severe liver disease. Trans American Neurology Association 1949; 74: 217-219.

## External Links

[edit | edit source]

* Template:GPnotebook
* Diagram

Template:WikiDoc Sources