Hepato-cardiac disorders

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hepatology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• The interplay between liver and heart health is clinically significant for specialists in both fields.
• Hepato-cardiac diseases encompass conditions where the heart affects the liver, the liver affects the heart, or both organs are simultaneously impacted.
• Accurate diagnosis of liver injury is vital in cardiology, necessitating collaboration to differentiate from conditions mimicking hemodynamic compromise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the spectrum of hepato-cardiac diseases.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and collaborative needs between cardiologists and hepatologists.
• To discuss the impact of cardiac conditions on the liver and vice versa, including systemic diseases affecting both.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of hepato-cardiac diseases.
• Classification of conditions based on organ involvement (heart-to-liver, liver-to-heart, simultaneous).
• Discussion of clinical implications, diagnostic considerations, and management strategies.

Main Results:

• Heart failure can cause ischemic hepatitis or congestive hepatopathy, requiring management of the primary cardiac issue.
• Advanced liver disease may lead to cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, characterized by hemodynamic and functional cardiac alterations.
• Liver transplantation can reverse cardiac dysfunction in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of hepato-cardiac conditions requires a multidisciplinary approach.
• Cardiac evaluation is essential for patients with liver disease, particularly around liver transplantation.
• Systemic diseases, including congenital, metabolic, inflammatory conditions, and alcoholism, represent significant etiological factors for concurrent heart and liver disease.