Liver function tests in patients with acute heart failure

Acute heart failure (AHF) is associated with multiorgan dysfunction, which may unfavorably affect prognosis.

We investigated the prevalence, clinical determinants, and prognostic consequences of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) in population with AHF.

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with AHF, in whom the following LFTs were performed on admission: serum bilirubin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and albumin. Abnormal LFTs were defined as the elevation above the upper normal limit of bilirubin, AST, and ALT, or reduction below the lower normal limit of albumin.

The study involved 189 patients (age, 68 ±11 years; men, 68%; de novo AHF, 25%). On admission, abnormal LFTs were observed in 46% of the patients for AST, 31% for ALT, 33% for bilirubin, and 44% for albumin. Only 29% of the patients had all LFTs within the normal ranges. The following variables were independently related to abnormal LFTs: high hemoglobin and N‑terminal pro‑B‑type natriuretic peptide (NT‑proBNP) levels for AST; high hemoglobin, bilirubin, and NT‑proBNP levels for ALT; high hemoglobin, low sodium levels, and dilated right ventricle for bilirubin; and high NT‑proBNP levels for albumin (all P <0.05). In 21 patients, hemodynamic monitoring was performed, which revealed that among LFTs only elevated bilirubin independently correlated with higher right atrial pressure (P <0.005). In a univariate Cox model, among LFTs, low albumin and markedly elevated AST and ALT (>3 times above the upper normal limit) were associated with increased mortality during 180‑day follow‑up.

Abnormal LFTs are common in patients with AHF and may have prognostic relevance. Among them, only elevated bilirubin was correlated with impaired hemodynamic parameters.