[Fulminant hepatic failure. Atypical form of cardiac failure presentation]

Congestive liver disease can be one of the clinical aspects of chronic heart failure. Fulminant hepatic failure can be a consequence of ischemic liver disease secondary to cardiogenic shock. We report a patient with chronic heart failure who was admitted to our hospital presenting general malaise with abnormal liver function tests, prothrombin time and renal failure. The study of viral and autoimmune liver diseases were negative. She did not consume hepatotoxic drugs. She presented encephalopathy without initial evidence of shock. On the fourth day, she presented clinical deterioration compatible with cardiogenic shock. Laboratory abnormalities were similar to those seen in congestive and ischemic liver disease. The patient died 24 hours later. The histology showed congestive and ischemic liver disease. There are several reports of chronic liver diseases without a clear etiology, caused by constrictive pericarditis or restrictive myocardiopathy. In this case, the patient presented fulminant hepatic failure without clear evidence of progressive heart failure. We emphasize the importance of cardiac diseases as possible causes of liver diseases without another clear explanation.