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Disturbed liver function in heart transplantation candidates: two case reports
The Netherlands Journal of Medicine
|August 1, 1989
Insights
Heart transplant candidates often have liver issues. Liver function tests typically normalize after a successful heart transplant, and "cardiac cirrhosis" was not observed in this study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hepatology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Patients undergoing heart transplantation frequently exhibit abnormal liver function.
- Assessing the etiology and prognosis of liver disease in these candidates is crucial.
Observation:
- Two cases of jaundice in heart transplant candidates were analyzed.
- A four-year investigation focused on heart transplant patients with impaired liver function.
Findings:
- "Cirrhose cardiaque" (cardiac cirrhosis) was not diagnosed in any investigated patients.
- Liver function tests generally improved and normalized post-successful heart transplantation.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that severe hepatic dysfunction in heart transplant candidates may not be indicative of irreversible "cardiac cirrhosis".
- Successful heart transplantation can lead to the recovery of liver function, improving patient outcomes.
- Further research into the reversibility of liver dysfunction post-transplant is warranted.
Abstract:
Heart transplantation candidates frequently have a disturbed liver function. Two cases with jaundice are described in whom the cause and prognosis of the associated liver disease were analysed. In the 4-yr period during which heart transplantation patients with a disturbed liver function were investigated, "cirrose cardiaque" was not encountered; liver tests usually normalized after a successful heart transplant.