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Asterixis

System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

With the arms outstretched and wrists extended, the hands fall into a brief, irregular 'flapping' lapse of posture every few seconds.

What a positive finding suggests

Associated with metabolic encephalopathy, classically liver failure (hepatic encephalopathy); also seen in kidney failure and high carbon dioxide levels.

Related signs — Abdominal & Digestive Signs

Aaron's signBallance's signBlumberg's signBlumer's shelfBoas' signCaput medusae

Browse the A section of the A–Z list or return to the Clinical Signs hub.

Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.