Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Fluorescent Laparoscopic Central Hepatectomy for Liver Cancer Using Indocyanine Green Negative Staining
03:23

Fluorescent Laparoscopic Central Hepatectomy for Liver Cancer Using Indocyanine Green Negative Staining

Published on: March 17, 2023

1.6K

Left-sided heart failure presenting as hepatitis

J A Cohen, M M Kaplan

    Gastroenterology
    |March 1, 1978
    PubMed

    Insights

    Left ventricular failure can cause liver disease mimicking hepatitis, even without right-sided heart failure signs. Prompt treatment of heart conditions improves liver function, highlighting this crucial connection.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Hepatology
    • Internal Medicine

    Background:

    • Left-sided heart failure is often overlooked as a cause of liver disease.
    • Liver dysfunction in heart failure typically presents with right-sided signs or hypotension, which were absent in these cases.

    Observation:

    • Four patients initially diagnosed with hepatitis presented with central hepatic necrosis.
    • Hepatitis was suspected due to elevated transaminases or jaundice and hepatitis-compatible symptoms.
    • Right-sided heart failure and hypotension were absent in all patients.

    Findings:

    • Liver biopsies confirmed central hepatic necrosis, excluding acute or chronic hepatitis.
    • Left ventricular failure was diagnosed in all four patients, linked to coronary or valvular heart disease.
    • Liver function normalized or improved with treatment of the underlying cardiac condition.

    Implications:

    • Left ventricular failure-induced liver dysfunction may be underdiagnosed, especially without right-sided heart failure.
    • This highlights the importance of considering cardiac etiologies in unexplained liver dysfunction.
    • Prompt diagnosis and treatment of cardiac conditions can reverse liver damage.

    More Related Videos

    Author Spotlight: Exploring the Relationship Between Lipotoxicity and HFpEF03:42

    Author Spotlight: Exploring the Relationship Between Lipotoxicity and HFpEF

    Published on: March 29, 2024

    2.3K
    Author Spotlight: Investigating the Underlying Mechanisms of Right Ventricular Failure in Pulmonary Hypertension04:49

    Author Spotlight: Investigating the Underlying Mechanisms of Right Ventricular Failure in Pulmonary Hypertension

    Published on: June 14, 2024

    1.4K

    Related Concept Videos

    Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

    Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

    Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
    4.8K
    Heart Failure I: Introduction01:27

    Heart Failure I: Introduction

    Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
    1.7K
    Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations01:26

    Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations

    Heart failure (HF) manifests primarily as dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, resulting in peripheral and pulmonary edema. Symptoms may vary depending on which ventricle is more affected, left or right.Left-Sided Heart FailureAlso known as left ventricular failure, this condition results from the left ventricle's inability to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation. It leads to pulmonary congestion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to eject blood effectively...
    1.2K
    Hepatitis01:25

    Hepatitis

    Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver.
    86
    Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

    Cirrhosis I: Introduction

    Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
    28
    Portal Hypertension01:22

    Portal Hypertension

    Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...
    50