Evaluation of Echocardiographic Findings in Cirrhotic Patients

[摘要] Introduction: Cardiovascular abnormalities have been reported in liver cirrhosis (LC). In these patients,cardiac symptoms and physical signs occur as the liver functions worsen. Cirrhosis is associated with hyperdynamic circulation and beta-adrenergic system changes responsible for the cardiovascular abnormalities.The purpose of the present study was to explore the echocardiographic findings in cirrhotic patients.Methods: A total of 90 patients (63 men, 27 women) with imaging or biopsy-proven cirrhosis of variousetiologies without any known cardiac dysfunction were included in the study. Ninety healthy persons of thesame age and sex were enrolled as the control group. Cirrhotic patients and controls were investigated byechocardiography. Left ventricle diastolic function (E/A ratio), systolic function (ejection fraction), and wallthickness (left ventricle posterior wall thickness + interventricular septum thickness) along with left and rightventricular dimensions were evaluated.Results: Right & left atrium and ventricle diameters were enlarged in 3 cirrhotic patients and the E/A ratiowas decreased in class C patients (0.9 ± 0.2) as compared to class B and A (1.3 ± 0.4) and controls (1.3± 1)(P value < 0.05). The left ventricular end diastolic volumes were increased in 3 cirrhotic patients(5.9+/-0.3)(normal 3.5-4.7 cm). The estimated ejection fraction was decreased in39 cirrhotic patients 28 patientswith ascites (35 -47%) as compared to 11 patients without ascites (40-48%) and controls (50-75%) (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Liver cirrhosis is associated with enlarged left cardiac chambers, but wall thickness and rightventricle functions and diameters are normal. LV Diastolic dysfunction and decreased ejection fraction areevident in cirrhotic patients with ascites in class C children. This demonstration of diastolic dysfunctiontogether with the dilated left cardiac chambers suggests that the patients indeed have cardiac abnormalities.Cardiovascular status should therefore be carefully monitored, especially in class C children when patientshave ascites.

[学科分类] 药学、药理学、毒理学（综合）

[关键词] demosponge;spiculite;turbidite;Silesian Basin;Outer Carpathians;Cenomanian