Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hepatology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Liver cirrhosis is a common endpoint of chronic liver disease, leading to significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
• Cardiac abnormalities, particularly in the right ventricle, are detectable via echocardiography in cirrhotic patients.
• Early identification and management of cardiac dysfunction can improve outcomes for liver cirrhosis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of right ventricular systolic dysfunction in liver cirrhosis patients.
• To ascertain the prevalence of right ventricular diastolic dysfunction in liver cirrhosis patients.

Main Methods:

• A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 210 adult liver cirrhosis patients.
• Echocardiography and electrocardiography were utilized to assess right ventricular function.
• Data collection occurred over a one-year period within gastroenterology units.

Main Results:

• Right ventricular hypertrophy was observed in 44.8% of participants, with 3.8% showing dilatation.
• Right ventricular systolic dysfunction was detected in 17.1% (by TAPSE) and 51.4% (by FAC).
• Diastolic dysfunction was prevalent in 61% of patients, with Grade 2 being the most common.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of right ventricular systolic dysfunction exists in liver cirrhosis patients.
• Right ventricular diastolic dysfunction is also highly prevalent among individuals with liver cirrhosis.
• These findings underscore the importance of cardiac evaluation in the management of liver cirrhosis.