Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy
07:10

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Published on: June 18, 2020

[Clinical investigation of Q-T prolongation in hepatic cirrhosis]

Li Li1, Huai-rong Liu, Jun-lian Shu

  • 1Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Armed Police Forces, Beijing 100039, China.

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi
|January 3, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Prolonged corrected QT interval (Q-Tc) is common in hepatic cirrhosis and worsens with disease severity. Liver transplantation can normalize Q-Tc, indicating its use in assessing cirrhosis prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hepatology
  • Clinical Electrophysiology

Context:

  • Hepatic cirrhosis is associated with various cardiovascular complications.
  • Cardiac repolarization abnormalities, such as prolonged corrected QT interval (Q-Tc), are increasingly recognized in cirrhotic patients.
  • The clinical significance of Q-Tc prolongation in hepatic cirrhosis requires further elucidation.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the relationship between prolonged corrected QT interval (Q-Tc) and the severity and prognosis of patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
  • To assess the impact of liver transplantation on Q-Tc interval in cirrhotic patients.

Summary:

  • Electrocardiography revealed significantly longer Q-Tc intervals in 126 hepatic cirrhosis patients compared to 126 controls.
  • Q-Tc prolongation rates increased with Child-Pugh disease severity (Grade A: 21.05%, Grade B: 56.89%, Grade C: 59.60%), correlating positively with Child-Pugh scores.
  • Following liver transplantation in 20 patients, Q-Tc normalized in 17, suggesting a reversible link.

Impact:

  • Q-Tc prolongation is a prevalent finding in hepatic cirrhosis, directly correlating with disease severity.
  • The reversibility of Q-Tc prolongation post-liver transplantation highlights its potential as a prognostic biomarker.
  • These findings suggest Q-Tc interval assessment can aid in evaluating hepatic cirrhosis severity and patient outcomes.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis05:56

Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis

Published on: August 29, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug01:14

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug

In pharmacotherapy, monitoring drug concentrations is paramount, especially for drugs whose therapeutic effects hinge on both the active compound and its metabolite. Hepatic impairment profoundly influences drug potency by altering liver function. If the drug is more potent than its metabolite, impaired liver function amplifies drug activity due to elevated drug concentration levels. Conversely, if the metabolite holds greater potency, diminished liver function diminishes drug activity by...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment01:08

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment

Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...