Resting myocardial dysfunction in cirrhosis quantified by tissue Doppler imaging
Konstantin Kazankov1, Peter Holland-Fischer, Niels H Andersen
1Department of Medicine V (Hepatology and Gastroenterology), Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark. konka@dadlnet.dk
Summary
Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy causes significant systolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction at rest, detectable by tissue Doppler imaging. This confirms a distinct cardiac condition in cirrhosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hepatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is often considered latent cardiac failure.
- Myocardial dysfunction in cirrhosis at rest requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify resting left ventricular function in cirrhosis patients using tissue Doppler imaging.
- To correlate cardiac function findings with liver status and cirrhosis etiology.
Main Methods:
- Included 44 cirrhosis patients and 23 healthy controls.
- Utilized conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging for systolic and diastolic function assessment.
- Quantified liver function via galactose elimination capacity and clinical stage using Child-Pugh and MELD scores.
Main Results:
- Cirrhosis patients exhibited compromised systolic and diastolic myocardial function at rest.
- Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, peak systolic tissue velocity, and systolic strain rate were observed in patients.
- 54% of patients displayed diastolic dysfunction, with various patterns including impaired relaxation and pseudonormal filling.
Conclusions:
- Tissue Doppler imaging revealed significant resting systolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction in cirrhosis patients.
- These findings support the existence of a distinct cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.
- Echocardiographic findings were not associated with the etiology of cirrhosis.
