Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in the pre- and post-liver transplantation phase

Acute kidney injury in patients with cirrhosis: Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) and International Club of Ascites (ICA) joint multidisciplinary consensus meeting

Patients with cirrhosis are prone to developing acute kidney injury (AKI), a complication associated with a markedly increased in-hospital morbidity and mortality, along with a risk of progression to chronic kidney disease. Whereas patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk of developing any phenotype of AKI, hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), a specific form of AKI (HRS-AKI) in patients with advanced cirrhosis and ascites, carries an especially high mortality risk. Early recognition of HRS-AKI is crucial since administration of splanchnic vasoconstrictors may reverse the AKI and serve as a bridge to liver transplantation, the only curative option. In 2023, a joint meeting of the International Club of Ascites (ICA) and the Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) was convened to develop new diagnostic criteria for HRS-AKI, to provide graded recommendations for the work-up, management and post-discharge follow-up of patients with cirrhosis and AKI, and to highlight priorities for further research.

[Liver cirrhosis as a multisystem disease]

In recent years, the pathophysiological concept of decompensated liver cirrhosis has undergone significant changes. Until a few years ago, the focus of pathophysiological considerations was on the hyperdynamic circulation resulting from portal hypertension. In recent years, emerging data suggests that increased bacterial translocation leading to systemic inflammation plays an important role in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. This inflammation affects a variety of extrahepatic organs. Nowadays, liver cirrhosis is considered not only a condition confined to the liver but rather an inflammatory-triggered multisystem disease. The existing inflammation serves as the common pathophysiological explanation for the diverse impact of liver cirrhosis on several extrahepatic organs. It plays a significant role in the development of conditions such as hepatorenal syndrome, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, hepatopulmonary syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, and even in the emergence of cirrhosis-associated relative adrenal insufficiency. These new pathophysiological insights hold clinical significance as they influence the prophylaxis and treatment of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

H2FPEF Scores Are Increased in Patients with NASH Cirrhosis and Are Associated with Post-liver Transplant Heart Failure

INTRODUCTION

Patients with cirrhosis are at risk for cardiac complications such as heart failure, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) due to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). The H2FPEF score is a predictive model used to identify patients with HFpEF. Our primary aim was to assess the H2FPEF score in patients with cirrhosis and determine its potential to identify patients at risk for heart failure after liver transplant.

METHODS

This was a cohort study of patients undergoing liver transplant for cirrhosis from January 2010 and October 2018 who had a pre-transplant transthoracic echocardiogram.

RESULTS

166 cirrhosis subjects were included in the study. The majority were men (65%) and Caucasian (85%); NASH was the most common cause of cirrhosis (41%) followed by alcohol (34%). The median H2FPEF score was 2.0 (1.0-4.0). Patients with NASH cirrhosis had higher H2FPEF scores (3.22, 2.79-3.64) than those with alcohol induced cirrhosis (1.89, 1.5-2.29, p < 0.001) and other causes of cirrhosis (1.73, 1.28-2.18, p < 0.001). All subjects with a H2FPEF score > 6 had NASH cirrhosis. There was no association between the H2FPEF scores and measures of severity of liver disease (bilirubin, INR, or MELD score). Patients with heart failure after liver transplant had higher H2FPEF scores than those without heart failure (4.0, 3.1-4.9 vs. 2.3, 2.1-2.6, respectively; p = 0.015), but the score did not predict post-transplant mortality.

CONCLUSION

H2FPEF scores are higher in cirrhosis patients with NASH and appear to be associated with post-transplant heart failure, but not death.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: Pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

Cardiac dysfunction among cirrhotic patients has long been recognized in the medical community. While it was originally believed to be a direct result of alcohol toxicity, in the last 30 years cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) has been described as a syndrome characterized by chronic cardiac dysfunction in cirrhotic patients in the absence of known cardiac disease, regardless of the etiology of cirrhosis. CCM occurs in about 60% of patients with cirrhosis and plays a critical role in disease progression and treatment outcomes. Due to its predominantly asymptomatic course, diagnosing CCM is challenging and requires a high index of suspicion and a multiparametric approach. Patients with CCM usually present with the following triad: impaired myocardial contractile response to exercise, inadequate ventricular relaxation, and electrophysiological abnormalities (notably prolonged QT interval). In recent years, research in this area has grown expeditiously and a new set of diagnostic criteria has been developed by the Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium, to properly identify patients with CCM. Nevertheless, CCM is still largely unknown among clinicians, and a major part of its pathophysiology and treatment is yet to be understood. In the present work, we aim to compile and summarize the available data on the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of CCM.

Evaluation of Electrocardiogram Parameters and Heart Rate Variability During Blood Pressure Elevation by Phenylephrine in Cirrhotic Rats

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a myocardial disease that may go undetected in the early stages due to peripheral vasodilatation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate variability (HRV) after raising blood pressure by phenylephrine injection in rats with liver cirrhosis. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the Sham and common bile duct ligation (CBDL) groups. After 44 days, animals were anesthetized and the right femoral artery and vein catheterized. After a steady-state period, a bolus injection of phenylephrine (PHE, 10 μg/μl/IV, baroreflex maneuver) was followed by a slow injection of PHE (100 μg/ml/5 min/IV, sustained maneuver). Rapid and slow injections of PHE resulted in a greater increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and a weaker bradycardia response in the CBDL group than in the Sham group. ECG analysis showed increased QT, QTc, JT, and T peak to T end in the CBDL group, which remained unchanged after PHE injection. On the other hand, the parasympathetic indices of the HF band and RMSSD, and the sympathetic index of the LF band after PHE injection were lower in the CBDL group than in the Sham group.ECG data indicated prolonged ventricular depolarization and repolarization, independent of blood pressure levels in cirrhosis. On the other hand, after PHE injection, the parasympathetic and sympathetic components of HRV decreased, regardless of the duration of elevated blood pressure. We suggest that HRV analysis can provide a useful approach to assess cardiac dysfunction associated with elevated blood pressure in cirrhosis.

Heart failure with severely reduced ejection fraction after liver transplantation: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Liver transplantation (LT) is a strenuous event for the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular events (CVE), including heart failure (HF), arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia, are important causes of peri- and post-liver transplantation morbidity and mortality.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe the case of a 45-year-old male patient who developed heart failure with severely reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) after receiving liver transplantation (LT) for end-stage post-alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) demonstrated borderline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 50% and diastolic dysfunction grade 2. On coronary angiography, the patient had no coronary stenoses. Persistent vasopressor need, increasing creatinine levels and progressive pleural effusion characterized the early postoperative period. TTE on postoperative day 6 revealed a new finding of a markedly reduced LVEF of 15%, accompanied by a discrete increase in hs-TnI and CK-MB without electrocardiographic (ECG) ST-T abnormalities. LVEF did not recover completely (EF 45%) during follow-up. The patient had a sudden death 4.5 months post-liver transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Our case demonstrates that the risk of post-LT systolic dysfunction is not excluded by preoperative resting examinations within normal range and highlights the need for preoperative cardiac stress assessment (e.g. dobutamine echocardiography or stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) before LT. In addition, patients on a liver-transplant waiting list with cardiac dysfunction should be followed by a multidisciplinary team including a dedicated cardiology team experienced in managing liver-related cardiac pathology.

The Contemporary Role of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is characterized by elevated cardiac output at rest, an inability to further increase contractility under stress, and diastolic dysfunction. The diagnosis of CCM is crucial as it can lead to complications during liver transplantation. However, its recognition poses challenges with conventional echocardiography techniques. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), particularly global longitudinal strain (GLS), is a novel index that enhances the diagnostic efficacy of echocardiography for both ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. GLS proves more sensitive in identifying early systolic dysfunction and is also influenced by advanced diastolic dysfunction. Consequently, there is an expanding scope for GLS utilization in cirrhotic cases, with newly updated diagnostic criteria for CCM incorporating GLS. Specifically, systolic dysfunction is now defined as either a left ventricular ejection fraction below 50% or an absolute GLS below 18%. However, conflicting data on GLS alterations in liver cirrhosis patients persist, as many individuals with advanced disease and a poor prognosis exhibit a hyperdynamic state with preserved or increased GLS. Consequently, the presence of CCM, according to the updated criteria, does not exhibit a significant association-in the majority of studies-with the severity of liver disease and prognosis. Furthermore, information on other indices measured with STE, such as left atrial and right ventricular strain, is promising but currently limited. This review aims to offer a critical assessment of the existing evidence concerning the application of STE in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Hepatocardiorenal syndrome in liver cirrhosis: Recognition of a new entity?

Emerging evidence and perspectives have pointed towards the heart playing an important role in hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), outside of conventional understanding that liver cirrhosis is traditionally considered the sole origin of a cascade of pathophysiological mechanisms directly affecting the kidneys in this context. In the absence of established heart disease, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may occur more frequently in those with liver cirrhosis and kidney disease. It is a specific form of cardiac dysfunction characterized by blunted contractile responsiveness to stress stimuli and altered diastolic relaxation with electrophysiological abnormalities. Despite the clinical description of these potential cardiac-related complications of the liver, the role of the heart has traditionally been an overlooked aspect of circulatory dysfunction in HRS. Yet from a physiological sense, temporality (prior onset) of cardiorenal interactions in HRS and positive effects stemming from portosystemic shunting demonstrated an important role of the heart in the development and progression of kidney dysfunction in cirrhotic patients. In this review, we discuss current concepts surrounding how the heart may influence the development and progression of HRS, and the role of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction causing circulatory dysfunction within this setting. The temporality of heart and kidney dysfunction in HRS will be discussed. For a subgroup of patients who receive portosystemic shunting, the dynamics of cardiorenal interactions following treatment is reviewed. Continued research to determine the unknowns in this topic is anticipated, hopefully to further clarify the intricacies surrounding the liver-heart-kidney connection and improve strategies for management.

Utility of transesophageal echocardiography during orthotopic liver transplantation: A narrative review

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the standard of care for patients suffering from end stage liver disease (ESLD). This is a high-risk procedure with the potential for hemorrhage, large shifts in preload and afterload, and release of vasoactive mediators that can have profound effects on hemodynamic equilibrium. In addition, patients with ESLD can have preexisting coronary artery disease, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, porto-pulomary hypertension and imbalanced coagulation. As cardiovascular involvement is invariable and patient are at an appreciable risk of intraoperative cardiac arrest, Trans esophageal echocardiography (TEE) is increasingly becoming a routinely utilized monitor during OLT in patients without contraindications to its use. A comprehensive TEE assessment performed by trained operators provides a wealth of information on baseline cardiac function, while a focused study specific for the ESLD patients can help in prompt diagnosis and treatment of critical events. Future studies utilizing TEE will eventually optimize examination safety, quality, permit patient risk stratification, provide intraoperative guidance, and allow for evaluation of graft vasculature.

Comprehensive evaluation of circRNAs in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy before and after liver transplantation

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis. Many patients with cirrhotic livers do not die from liver failure but from abnormal hemodynamics secondary to liver cirrhosis. Liver transplantation is one of the most effective treatments for liver diseases. Recent studies have found that liver transplantation can reverse CCM and improve cardiac function; however, its role and remedial mechanism remain unclear. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have become an important marker for diagnosing diseases. The differential expression of circRNAs is associated with heart diseases. In this study, we used gene sequencing to detect the circRNA expression profile of patients with CCM before and after liver transplantation and predicted the differential circRNA target genes. The results showed that a total of 1495 circRNAs were dysregulated after liver transplantation, 1319 genes were downregulated, and 176 were upregulated (P < 0.05, log2 (fold change) > 2.0). The qRT-PCR results showed that circ-ASAP1, circ-N4BP2L2, circ-EXOC6B were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05), which were consistent with the RNA sequencing data, and circ-ASAP1 had the most significant difference. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways might be involved in the pathogenesis of CCM. By constructing a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network, hsa-miR-197-3p, hsa-miR-483-3p, and hsa-miR-885-3p, particularly key miRNA (hsa-miR-483-3p), were found to be the major potential genes involved in CCM regulation. In summary, this study suggested that circRNAs play a crucial regulatory role in the occurrence of CCM before and after liver transplantation, and their potential biological function might be the key to diagnosis and treatment.

Adverse outcomes after non-hepatic surgeries in patients with alcoholic liver diseases: a propensity-score matched study

BACKGROUND

The influence of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) on the postoperative outcomes is not completely understood. Our purpose is to evaluate the complications and mortality after nonhepatic surgeries in patients with ALD.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study included adults aged 20 years and older who underwent nonhepatic elective surgeries using data of Taiwan's National Health Insurance, 2008-2013. Using a propensity-score matching procedure, we selected surgical patients with ALD (n = 26,802); or surgical patients without ALD (n = 26,802) for comparison. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality associated with ALD.

RESULTS

Patients with ALD had higher risks of acute renal failure (OR 2.74, 95% CI 2.28-3.28), postoperative bleeding (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.34-2.01), stroke (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.34-1.70) septicemia (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.36-1.58), pneumonia (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.29-1.58), and in-hospital mortality (OR 2.64, 95% CI 2.24-3.11) than non-ALD patients. Patients with ALD also had longer hospital stays and higher medical expenditures after nonhepatic surgical procedures than the non-ALD patients. Compared with patients without ALD, patients with ALD who had jaundice (OR 4.82, 95% CI 3.68-6.32), ascites (OR 4.57, 95% CI 3.64-5.74), hepatic coma (OR 4.41, 95% CI 3.44-5.67), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (OR 3.84, 95% CI 3.09-4.79), and alcohol dependence syndrome (OR 3.07, 95% CI 2.39-3.94) were more likely to have increased postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSION

Surgical patients with ALD had more adverse events and a risk of in-hospital mortality after nonhepatic surgeries that was approximately 2.6-fold higher than that for non-ALD patients. These findings suggest the urgent need to revise the protocols for peri-operative care for this population.

Echocardiographic assessment of cardiovascular function and clinical outcomes in liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Cardiovascular disease contributes to a high rate of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation (LT). However, the progression of cardiac function and cardiac remodeling in LT recipients remains poorly understood. This study sought to evaluate the progression of cardiac function and structure in LT recipients and identify independent predictors of prognosis using echocardiography.

METHODS

From 2009 to 2019, 178 adult LT recipients at a tertiary academic transplant center were retrospectively studied. Transthoracic echocardiograms 1-year pre- and post-LT were assessed. Primary outcomes were progression of systolic and diastolic function. Secondary outcomes included left ventricular remodeling, all-cause mortality, and heart failure readmission post-LT. Subgroup analyzes were performed for etiology of native liver disease. A multivariable model was constructed to examine independent predictors of outcomes.

RESULTS

Systolic function significantly worsened, with reduction in stroke volume (45-37 ml/m² , p < .001), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (65%-62%, p < .001) and cardiac index (3.00-2.60 L/min/m² , p < .001). Conversely, there were significant improvements in diastolic indices, including tricuspid regurgitation V_max (228-215 cm/s, p = .017), left atrial volume index (LAVI) (32-26 ml/m² , p < .001) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) (31-28 mmHg, p = .001). Additionally, patients had increased relative wall thickness (RWT) (p < .001) and decreased left ventricular end-diastolic dimension/body surface area (p < .001) post-LT. The independent predictors for all-cause mortality and heart failure were increased pre-LT mitral annular early diastolic velocity (HR 1.11, CI 1.02-1.22, p = .018), LAVI (HR 1.06, CI 1.02-1.11, p = .007) and decreased LVEF (HR .89, CI .82-.97, p = .006). The effect of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis on cardiovascular outcomes post-LT was largely comparable to that of Hepatitis B.

CONCLUSION

This study showed reduced systolic and improved diastolic function in LT recipients and highlighted the utility of pre-LT echocardiogram in the prognostication and risk stratification of LT candidates.

Invasive hemodynamic parameters in patients with hepatorenal syndrome

Background

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), a form of kidney dysfunction frequent in cirrhotic patients, is characterized by low filling pressures and impaired kidney perfusion due to peripheral vasodilation and reduced effective circulatory volume. Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS), driven by renal venous hypertension and elevated filling pressures, is a separate cause of kidney dysfunction in cirrhotic patients. The two entities, however, have similar clinical phenotypes. To date, limited invasive hemodynamic data are available to help distinguish the primary forces behind worsened kidney function in cirrhotic patients.

Objective

Our aim was to analyze invasive hemodynamic profiles and kidney outcomes in patients with cirrhosis who met criteria for HRS.

Methods

We conducted a single center retrospective study among cirrhotic patients with worsening kidney function admitted for liver transplant evaluation between 2010 and 2020. All met accepted criteria for HRS and underwent concurrent right heart catheterization (RHC).

Results

127 subjects were included. 79 had right atrial pressure >10 mmHg, 79 had wedge pressure >15 mmHg, and 68 had both. All patients with elevated wedge pressure were switched from volume loading to diuretics resulting in significant reductions between admission and post diuresis creatinine values (2.0 [IQR 1.5–2.8] vs 1.5 [IQR 1.2–2.2]; p = 0.003).

Conclusion

62% of patients diagnosed with HRS by clinical criteria have elevated filling pressures. Improvement of renal function after diuresis suggests the presence of CRS physiology in these patients. Invasive hemodynamic data profiling can lead to meaningful change in management of cirrhotic patients with worsened kidney function, guiding appropriate therapies based on filling pressures.

Evaluation of subclinical ventricular systolic dysfunction assessed using global longitudinal strain in liver cirrhosis: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) can identify subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis. This systematic review aims to provide evidence of a possible difference in GLS values between patients with cirrhosis and patients without cirrhosis. Studies from inception to August 11, 2021, were screened and included based on the inclusion criteria. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of nonrandomized studies. Meta-analyses were conducted with subsequent sensitivity and subgroup analyses according to age, sex, cirrhosis etiology, and severity. Publication bias was evaluated using Begg’s funnel plot, Egger’s test, and rank correlation test with subsequent trim-and-fill analysis. The systematic database search yielded 20 eligible studies. Random effect showed a significant reduction of left ventricular (LV) GLS (MD:-1.43;95%; 95%CI,-2.79 to -0.07; p = 0.04; I² = 95% p<0.00001) and right ventricular (RV) GLS (MD:-1.95; 95%CI,-3.86 to -0.05, p = 0.04; I² = 90%, p<0.00001) in the group with cirrhosis. A sensitivity test on subgroup analysis based on the study design showed a -1.78% lower LV-GLS in the group with cirrhosis (I² = 70%, p = 0.0003). Meta-regression analysis showed that the severity of cirrhosis was significantly related to GLS reduction. This research received no specific grants from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The study protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020201630). We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement guidelines.

Features of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Early in the Lives of Infants With Biliary Atresia Correlate With Outcomes Following Kasai Portoenterostomy

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM), detected during two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), is prevalent in patients with biliary atresia (BA) awaiting transplant. Whether CCM occurs early in the lives of infants with BA is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the incidence and consequence of CCM in patients with BA, focusing on the earliest ages when 2DE was performed. A cohort of 78 patients with BA at a single center underwent 2DE (median age = 132 days) during the first year of life. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) to upper limit of normal (ULN) ratio ≥ 1.0 was present in 60% of patients who never underwent Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE; n = 15), 49% with nondraining KPE (n = 41), and 21% with draining KPE (n = 19). Patients with a draining KPE (median age at 2DE = 72 days) had a lower LVMI/ULN ratio (0.75 [interquartile range [IQR] 0.70, 0.91]) compared to those with a nondraining KPE (0.99 [IQR 0.78, 1.17] median age of 141 days; P = 0.012). In those whose 2DE was performed within 7 days of KPE (n = 19, median age of 61 days), the LVMI/ULN ratio was lower in those with a future draining KPE (0.73 [IQR 0.66, 0.75]) compared to the group with a future nondraining KPE (1.03 [IQR 0.88, 1.08], P = 0.002). Logistic regression modeling revealed LVMI/ULN ratio ≥ 1.0 as a predictor of KPE outcome, with an odds ratio of 16.7 (95% confidence interval 1.36-204; P = 0.028) for a future nondraining KPE compared to those with a LVMI/ULN ratio < 1.0. Conclusion: 2DE early in the lives of patients with BA revealed features of CCM that correlated with future outcomes. If validated in a multicenter study, this could lead to 2DE as a useful clinical tool in the care of infants with BA.

What's New in Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy?-Review Article

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is a relatively new medical term. The constant development of novel diagnostic and clinical tools continuously delivers new data and findings about this broad disorder. The purpose of this review is to summarize current facts about CCM, identify gaps of knowledge, and indicate the direction in which to prepare an updated definition of CCM. We performed a review of the literature using scientific data sources with an emphasis on the latest findings. CCM is a clinical manifestation of disorders in the circulatory system in the course of portal hypertension. It is characterized by impaired left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and electrophysiological abnormalities, especially QT interval prolongation. However, signs and symptoms reported by patients are non-specific and include reduced exercise tolerance, fatigue, peripheral oedema, and ascites. The disease usually remains asymptomatic with almost normal heart function, unless patients are exposed to stress or exertion. Unfortunately, due to the subclinical course, CCM is rarely recognized. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) seems to improve circulatory function although there is no consensus about its positive effect, with reported cases of heart failure onset after transplantation. Researchers indicate a careful pre-, peri-, and post-transplant cardiac assessment as a crucial point in detecting CCM and improving patients’ prognosis. There is also an urgent need to update the CCM definition and establish a diagnostic algorithm for early diagnosis of CCM as well as a specific treatment of this condition.

Factors predicting futility of liver transplant in elderly recipients: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND

As the population of the United States ages, there has been an increasing number of elderly patients with cirrhosis listed for transplant. Previous studies have shown variable results in terms of the relative survival benefit for elderly liver transplant (LT) recipients. There may be factors that are associated with a poor post-transplant outcome which may help determine which elderly patients should and should not be listed for LT.

AIM

To identify factors associated with futility of transplant in elderly patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of all patients above the age of 45 who underwent liver transplantation at our tertiary care center between January 2010 and March 2020 (n = 1019). “Elderly” was defined as all patients aged 65 years and older. Futile outcome was defined as death within 90 d of transplant. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine what variables, if any were associated with futile outcome in elderly patients. Secondary outcomes such as one year mortality and discharge to facility (such as skilled nursing facility or long-term acute care hospital) were analyzed in the entire sample, compared across three age groups (45-54, 55-64, and 65 + years).

RESULTS

There was a total of 260 elderly patients who received LT in the designated time period. A total of 20 patients met the definition of “futile” outcome. The mean Model of End-Stage Liver Disease scores in the futile and non-futile group were not significantly different (21.78 in the futile group vs 19.66 in the “non-futile” group). Of the variables tested, only congestive heart failure was found to have a statistically significant association with futile outcome in LT recipients over the age of 65 (P = 0.001). Of these patients, all had diastolic heart failure with normal ejection fraction and at least grade I diastolic dysfunction as measured on echocardiogram. Patients aged 65 years and older were more likely to have the outcomes of death within 1 year of LT [hazard ratio: 1.937, confidence interval (CI): 1.24-3.02, P = 0.003] and discharge to facility (odds ratio: 1.94, CI: 1.4-2.8, P < 0.001) compared to patients in younger age groups.

CONCLUSION

Diastolic heart failure in the elderly may be a predictor of futility post liver transplant in elderly patients. Elderly LT recipients may have worse outcomes as compared to younger patients.

Low preoperative prealbumin predicts the prevalence of complications following liver transplantation

Background

As a nutritional index, preoperative serum prealbumin highly correlates with surgical complications. However, the correlation between preoperative prealbumin and postoperative complications remains unclear in liver transplantation (LT).

Methods

A total of 191 patients who underwent LT between 2015 and 2019 were included in the retrospective analysis. According to a cut-off value calculated from a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the patients were divided into normal and low preoperative prealbumin groups. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative complications. In addition, patients were divided into subgroups by Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, and the association between preoperative prealbumin and postoperative complications was also assessed in each group.

Results

A total of 111 (58.1%) patients were included in the low prealbumin group based on a cut-off value of 120 mg/L. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.754 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.678–0.832). Low prealbumin (95% CI 1.51–12.8, P = 0.007) was identified as a predictor for postoperative complications based on multivariable regression. In the low and normal prealbumin groups, the prevalence rates of postoperative complications were 27.5% and 8.0% (P = 0.003) in the MELD score ≤ 15 subgroup and 53.3% and 20.0% (P = 0.197) in the MELD score > 15 subgroup, respectively.

Conclusions

Preoperative prealbumin was associated with postoperative complications in LT, and preoperative nutritional support benefitted postoperative recovery, especially for patients with low MELD scores.

Cardiovascular mortality in liver and kidney transplant recipients: A retrospective analysis from a single institution

Previous studies have demonstrated cardiovascular causes to be among the leading causes of death after liver (LT) and kidney transplantation (KT). Although both recipient populations have unique pre-transplant cardiovascular burdens, they share similarities in post-transplant exposure to cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to compare cardiovascular mortality after LT and KT.We analyzed causes of death in 370 consecutive LT and 207 KT recipients from in-hospital records at a single tertiary transplant center. Cardiovascular causes of death were defined as cardiac arrest, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, or myocardial infarction.After a median follow-up of 36.5 months, infection was the most common cause of death in both cohorts, followed by cardiovascular causes in KT recipients and graft-related causes in LT recipients in whom cardiovascular causes were the third most common. Cumulative incidence curves for cardiovascular mortality computed with death from other causes as the competing risk were not significantly different (P = .36). While 1-year cumulative cardiovascular mortality was similar (1.6% after LT and 1.5% after KT), the estimated 4-year probability was higher post-KT (3.8% vs. 1.6%). Significant pre-transplant risk factors for overall mortality after KT in multivariable analysis were age at transplantation, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%, and diastolic dysfunction grade 2 or greater, while significant risk factors for cardiovascular mortality were peripheral artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction <50%. In the LT group no variables remained significant in a multivariable model for either overall or cardiovascular mortality.The present study found no significant overall difference in cardiovascular mortality after LT and KT. While LT and KT recipients may have similar early cardiovascular mortality, long-term risk is potentially lower after LT. Differing characteristics of cardiovascular death between these two patient populations should be further investigated.

The prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy according to different diagnostic criteria

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Recently published criteria by 2019 Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium set a lower threshold for reduced ejection fraction to diagnose systolic dysfunction in cirrhotic patients, and stress testing was replaced by echocardiography strain imaging. The criteria to diagnose diastolic dysfunction are in general concordant with the 2016 ASE/EACVI guidelines and differ considerably from the 2005 Montreal recommendations. We aimed to assess the prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy according to different diagnostic criteria.

METHODS

Cirrhotic patients without another structural heart disease, arterial hypertension, portal vein thrombosis, HCC outside Milan criteria and presence of TIPS were enrolled. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed by EACVI certified investigators.

RESULTS

A total of 122 patients with cirrhosis fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Overall prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy was similar for 2005 Montreal and 2019 CCC: 67.2% vs 55.7% (P = .09); and significantly higher compared to 2009 ASE/EACVI criteria: 67.2% vs 35.2% (P < .0001) and 55.7% vs 35.2% (P = .002) respectively. Significantly more patients had diastolic dysfunction according to the 2005 Montreal compared to the 2009 ASE/EACVI and 2019 CCC criteria: 64.8% vs 32.8% (P < .0001) and 64.8% vs 7.4% (P < .0001). Systolic dysfunction was more frequently diagnosed according to 2019 CCC criteria compared to 2005 Montreal (53.3% vs 16.4%,P < .0001) or ASE/EACVI criteria (53.3% vs 4.9%,P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy was present in around 60% of cirrhotic patients when applying the hepatological criteria. A considerably higher prevalence of systolic dysfunction according to the 2019 CCC criteria was observed. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to establish the validity of these criteria to predict clinically relevant outcomes.

Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM), cardiac dysfunction in end-stage liver disease in the absence of prior heart disease, is an important clinical entity that contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. The original definition for CCM, established in 2005 at the World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCG), was based upon known echocardiographic parameters to identify subclinical cardiac dysfunction in the absence of overt structural abnormalities. Subsequent advances in cardiovascular imaging and in particular myocardial deformation imaging have rendered the WCG criteria outdated. A number of investigations have explored other factors relevant to CCM, including serum markers, electrocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. CCM characteristics include a hyperdynamic circulatory state, impaired contractility, altered diastolic relaxation, and electrophysiological abnormalities, particularly QT interval prolongation. It is now known that cardiac dysfunction worsens with the progression of cirrhosis. Treatment for CCM has traditionally been limited to supportive efforts, but new pharmacological studies appear promising. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in CCM can be improved by targeted heart rate reduction. Ivabradine combined with carvedilol improves left ventricular diastolic dysfunction through targeted heart rate reduction, and this regimen can improve survival in patients with cirrhosis. Orthotopic liver transplantation also appears to improve CCM. Here, we canvass diagnostic challenges associated with CCM, introduce cardiac physiology principles and the application of echocardiographic techniques, and discuss the evidence behind therapeutic interventions in CCM.

Combined B-type Natriuretic Peptide as strong predictor of short-term mortality in patients after Liver Transplantation

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a well-known predictor for prognosis in patients with cardiac and renal diseases. However, there is a lack of studies in patients with advanced hepatic disease, especially patients who underwent liver transplantation (LT). We evaluated whether BNP could predict the prognosis of patients who underwent LT. Material and Methods: The data from a total of 187 patients who underwent LT were collected retrospectively. The serum levels of BNP were acquired at four time points, the pre-anhepatic (T1), anhepatic (T2), and neohepatic phases (T3), and on postoperative day 1 (T4). The patients were dichotomized into survival and non-survival groups for 1-month mortality after LT. Combined BNP (cBNP) was calculated based on conditional logistic regression analysis of pairwise serum BNP measurements at two time points, T2 and T4. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was analyzed to determine the diagnostic accuracy and cut-off value of the predictive models, including cBNP. Results: Fourteen patients (7.5 %) expired within one month after LT. The leading cause of death was sepsis (N = 9, 64.3 %). The MELD and MELD-Na scores had an acceptable predictive ability for 1-month mortality (AUROC = 0.714, and 0.690, respectively). The BNPs at each time point (T1 - T4) showed excellent predictive ability (AUROC = 0.864, 0.962, 0.913, and 0.963, respectively). The cBNP value had an outstanding predictive ability for 1-month mortality after LT (AUROC = 0.976). The optimal cutoff values for cBNP at T2 and T4 were 137 and 187, respectively. Conclusions: The cBNP model showed the improved predictive ability for mortality within 1-month of LT. It could help clinicians stratify mortality risk and be a useful biomarker in patients undergoing LT.

Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy - A Veiled Threat

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is defined as cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis without pre-existing cardiac disease. According to the definition established by the World Congress of Gasteroenterology in 2005, the diagnosis of CCM includes criteria reflecting systolic dysfunction, impaired diastolic relaxation, and electrophysiological disturbances. Because of minimal or even absent clinical symptoms and/or echocardiographic signs at rest according to the 2005 criteria, CCM diagnosis is often missed or delayed in most clinically-stable cirrhotic patients. However, cardiac dysfunction progresses in time and contributes to the pathogenesis of hepatorenal syndrome and increased morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation, surgery or other invasive procedures in cirrhotic patients. Therefore, a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment using newer techniques for echocardiographic evaluation of systolic and diastolic function, allowing the diagnosis of CCM in the early stage of subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction, should be included in the screening process of liver transplant candidates and patients with cirrhosis in general. The present review aims to summarize the most important pathophysiological aspects of CCM, the usefulness of contemporary cardiovascular imaging techniques and parameters in the diagnosis of CCM, the current therapeutic options, and the importance of early diagnosis of cardiovascular impairment in cirrhotic patients.

Analogies and differences between cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and hepatopulmonary syndrome

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and hepatopulmonary syndrome are two quite frequent clinical entities that may complicate the course of liver cirrhosis. The common pathophysiological origin and the same clinical presentation make them difficult to compare. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and hepatopulmonary syndrome may start with dyspnea and breathlessness but the former is characterized by a chronic cardiac dysfunction and the latter by a defect of oxygenation due to pulmonary shunts formation. The focus is to differentiate them as soon as possible since the treatment is different until the patient undergoes liver transplant that is the real unique cure for them.

Interplay of cardiovascular mediators, oxidative stress and inflammation in liver disease and its complications

The liver is a crucial metabolic organ that has a key role in maintaining immune and endocrine homeostasis. Accumulating evidence suggests that chronic liver disease might promote the development of various cardiac disorders (such as arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy) and circulatory complications (including systemic, splanchnic and pulmonary complications), which can eventually culminate in clinical conditions ranging from portal and pulmonary hypertension to pulmonary, cardiac and renal failure, ascites and encephalopathy. Liver diseases can affect cardiovascular function during the early stages of disease progression. The development of cardiovascular diseases in patients with chronic liver failure is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and cardiovascular complications can in turn affect liver function and liver disease progression. Furthermore, numerous infectious, inflammatory, metabolic and genetic diseases, as well as alcohol abuse can also influence both hepatic and cardiovascular outcomes. In this Review, we highlight how chronic liver diseases and associated cardiovascular effects can influence different organ pathologies. Furthermore, we explore the potential roles of inflammation, oxidative stress, vasoactive mediator imbalance, dysregulated endocannabinoid and autonomic nervous systems and endothelial dysfunction in mediating the complex interplay between the liver and the systemic vasculature that results in the development of the extrahepatic complications of chronic liver disease. The roles of ageing, sex, the gut microbiome and organ transplantation in this complex interplay are also discussed.

QTc prolongation in patients of cirrhosis and its relation with disease severity: An observational study from a rural teaching hospital

Introduction:

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is characterised by increased baseline cardiac output, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, diminished cardiovascular response to stressful stimuli and electrophysiological abnormalities in patients of cirrhosis in the absence of any underlying cardiac disease. QTc prolongation has been described as a common electrocardiographic abnormality in cirrhosis patients.

Aims and Objectives:

This study was done to evaluate the prevalence of QTc changes in patients of cirrhosis coming to a rural tertiary care centre and to analyse its correlation with disease severity.

Materials and Methods:

The present study was conducted on 100 patients suffering from cirrhosis of liver presented to the department of medicine. Around 100 age and sex-matched individuals were recruited as controls. The Child-Pugh score was used to determine the disease severity in cirrhosis patients. Standard 12-lead ECG was recorded in all cases and controls.

Results:

Prolongation of QTc interval on ECG was observed in the majority (80%) of cirrhosis patients and it was significantly higher as compared to the healthy controls (P <0.01). The prolongation of QTc was significantly associated with the duration of disease (P <0.05) and disease severity as measured by the Child-Pugh score (P <0.01).

Conclusion:

QTc prolongation on ECG may be an early marker of cardiac involvement in patients of cirrhosis and is significantly associated with disease severity.

Global Longitudinal Strain at Rest as an Independent Predictor of Mortality in Liver Transplant Candidates: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Speckle tracking echocardiography enables the detection of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction at rest in many heart diseases and potentially in severe liver diseases. It could also possibly serve as a predictor for survival. In this study, 117 patients evaluated for liver transplantation in a single center between May 2010 and April 2016 with normal left ventricular ejection fraction were included according to clinical characteristics of their liver disease: (1) compensated (n = 29), (2) clinically significant portal hypertension (n = 49), and (3) decompensated (n = 39). Standard echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography were performed at rest and during dobutamine stress. Follow-up amounted to three years to evaluate survival and major cardiac events. Altogether 67% (78/117) of the patients were transplanted and 32% (31/96 patients) died during the three-year follow-up period. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) at rest was significantly increased (became more negative) with the severity of liver disease (p < 0.001), but reached comparable values in all groups during peak stress. Low (less negative) GLS values at rest (male: >−17/female: >−18%) could predict patient survival in a multivariate Cox regression analysis (p = 0.002). GLS proved valuable in identifying transplant candidates with latent systolic dysfunction.

Protective role of cardiac-specific overexpression of caveolin-3 in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a clinical syndrome in patients with liver cirrhosis characterized by blunted cardiac contractile responses to stress and/or heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation. Caveolin-3 (Cav-3) plays a critical role in cardiac protection and is an emerging therapeutic target for heart disease. We investigated the protective role of cardiac-specific overexpression (OE) of Cav-3 in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Biliary fibrosis was induced in male Cav-3 OE mice and transgene negative (TG_neg) littermates by feeding a diet containing 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC; 0.1%) for 3 wk. Liver pathology and blood chemistries were assessed, and stress echocardiography, telemetry, and isolated heart perfusion studies to assess adrenergic responsiveness were performed. Cav-3 OE mice showed a similar degree of hyperdynamic contractility, pulmonary hypertension, and QTc interval prolongation as TG_neg mice after 3 wk of DDC diet. Blunted systolic responses were shown in both DDC-fed Cav-3 OE and TG_neg hearts after in vivo isoproterenol challenge. However, QTc interval prolongation after in vivo isoproterenol challenge was significantly less in DDC-fed Cav-3 OE hearts compared with DDC-fed TG_neg hearts. In ex vivo perfused hearts, where circulatory factors are absent, isoproterenol challenge showed hearts from DDC-fed Cav-3 OE mice had better cardiac contractility and relaxation compared with DDC-fed TG_neg hearts. Although Cav-3 OE in the heart did not prevent cardiac alterations in DDC-induced biliary fibrosis, cardiac expression of Cav-3 reduced QTc interval prolongation after adrenergic stimulation in cirrhosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is up to 50% in cirrhotic patients, and liver transplantation is the only treatment. However, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is associated with perioperative morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation; therefore, management of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is crucial for successful liver transplantation. This study shows cardiac myocyte specific overexpression of caveolin-3 (Cav-3) provides better cardiac contractile responses and less corrected QT prolongation during adrenergic stress in a cirrhotic cardiomyopathy model, suggesting beneficial effects of Cav-3 expression in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

Association of Cirrhosis and Cardiomyopathy

Introduction

We investigated association of pro-BNP, troponin-I, electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography (ECHO) during diagnosis and identification of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in cirrhotic patients.

Materials and methods

Patients were divided into three groups as; compensated cirrhotic patients (group 1, n= 30), decompensated cirrhotic (group 2, n = 30) and control group (group 3, n = 30). ECHO, and ECG were performed, and troponin-I and levels of pro-BNP were analyzed.

Results

Average age of group 1 was 46.36 ± 16 years (range 19-86), 60% were female; group 2 was 57.03 ± 13.54 years (range 22-89), 56% female; and group 3 was 49.13 ± 0.95 years (range 18-80), 56% female. A significant increase in QTc was detected in compensated cirrhotic patients compared to the control group (p <0.05). Pro-BNP levels were significantly higher (p <0.05) in the compensated cirrhotic group compared to the control group. The levels of pro-BNP were also significantly higher in the decompensated cirrhotic group compared compensated cirrhosis group and control group (p <0.001).

Conclusion

The increase of pro-BNP levels with severity of the disease in cirrhotic patients and the prolongation of QTc interval supports an association between these factors with cardiomyopathy.

How to cite this article

Sezgin B, Cindoglu C, et al. Association of Cirrhosis and Cardiomyopathy. Euroasian J Hepatogastroenterol 2019;9(1):23-26.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): current indications and strategies to improve the outcomes

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) represents a very effective treatment of complications of portal hypertension. Established indications to TIPS in cirrhotic patients include portal hypertensive bleeding and refractory ascites. Over the years additional indications have been proposed, such as the treatment of vascular disease of the liver, hepatic hydrothorax, hepatorenal syndrome and bleeding from ectopic varices. Indications under evaluation include treatment of portal hypertension prior to major abdominal surgery and treatment of portal vein thrombosis. In spite of these advances, there are still uncertainties regarding the appropriate workup for patients to be scheduled for TIPS. Moreover, prevention and management of post-TIPS complications including hepatic encephalopathy and heart failure are still suboptimal. These issues are particularly relevant considering aging in TIPS candidates in Western countries. Correct selection of patients is mandatory to prevent complications which may eventually frustrate the good hemodynamic results and worsen the patient's quality of life or even life expectancy. The possible role of small diameter TIPS to prevent post-procedural complications is discussed.

Cardiac Imaging in Liver Transplantation Candidates: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Cardiovascular dysfunction in cirrhotic patients is a recognized clinical entity commonly referred to as cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Systematic inflammation, autonomic dysfunction, and activation of vasodilatory factors lead to hyperdynamic circulation with high cardiac output and low peripheral vascular resistance. Counter acting mechanisms as well as direct effects on cardiac cells led to systolic or diastolic dysfunction and electromechanical abnormalities, which are usually masked at rest but exposed at stress situations. While cardiovascular complications and mortality are common in patients undergoing liver transplantation, they cannot be adequately predicted by conventional cardiac examination including transthoracic echocardiography. Newer echocardiography indices and other imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance have shown increased diagnostic accuracy with predictive implications in cardiovascular diseases. The scope of this review was to describe the role of cardiac imaging in the preoperative assessment of liver transplantation candidates with comprehensive analysis of the future perspectives anticipated by the use of newer echocardiography indices and cardiac magnetic resonance applications.

Management of the critically ill liver failure patient: surpassing our limitations to reach transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with liver failure and liver-related diseases are often critically ill. Here, we review advances in donor organ management, tools for patient selection and highlight ICU management of liver transplant (LT) recipients. A focused discussion on the impact each of these factors have on critical care management of liver failure patients is presented.

RECENT FINDINGS

Artificial liver assist devices to increase donor organ utilization are broadening the potential for transplantation of critically ill patients. Additionally, prognostication tools continue to improve and identify patients salvageable with transplantation despite severely deranged physiology. Most importantly, early recognition of liver failure combined with proactive critical care management reduces the incidence of failure-to-rescue and increases the likelihood of transplantation.

SUMMARY

Liver transplantation is often the only hope for cure, and despite the presence of profound physiologic disturbances surgery remains the goal. In this review, we cover topics key in ICU management of LT recipients. A focused discussion on development of artificial liver assist devices to increase donor organs, prognostic scoring systems to define appropriate transplant recipients, critical care management of liver failure physiology, and bridging modalities and supportive measures are presented.

The 2016 ASE/EACVI recommendations may be able to more accurately identify patients at risk for diastolic dysfunction in living donor liver transplantation

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction between the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and 2009 ASE/European Association of Echocardiography recommendations in patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Patients and methods

A total of 312 adult patients who underwent LDLT at our hospital from January 2010 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Exclusion criteria were systolic dysfunction, arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, and mitral or aortic valvular insufficiency.

Results

The study population was largely male (68.3%), and the median age was 54 (49–59) years. The median model for end-stage liver disease score was 12 (6–22) points. A predominant difference in the prevalence rates of diastolic dysfunction was observed between the two recommendations. The prevalence rates of diastolic dysfunction and indeterminate diastolic function were lower according to the 2016 recommendations than the 2009 recommendations. The level of concordance between the two recommendations was poor. The proportion of patients with a high brain natriuretic peptide level (> 100 pg/mL) decreased significantly during surgery in the normal and indeterminate groups according to the 2009 recommendations; however, only the normal group showed an intraoperative decrease in the proportion according to the 2016 recommendations. Patients with diastolic dysfunction showed a poorer overall-survival rate than those with normal function according to both recommendations. However, there was a difference in the survival rate in the indeterminate group between the two recommendations. A significant difference in patient survival rate was observed between the dysfunction and indeterminate groups according to the 2009 recommendations; however, the difference was not significant in the 2016 recommendations.

Conclusions

The 2016 classification may be better able to identify patients with a risk for diastolic dysfunction. Particularly, patients in the 2016 indeterminate group seemed to require a cardiac diastolic functional evaluation more frequently during and after surgery than those in the 2009 indeterminate group.

Clinical Consequences of Cardiomyopathy in Children With Biliary Atresia Requiring Liver Transplantation

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM), a comorbidity of end-stage cirrhotic liver disease, remains uncharacterized in children, largely because of a lack of an established pediatric definition. The aim of this retrospective cohort analysis is to derive objective two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) criteria to define CCM associated with biliary atresia (BA), or BA-CCM, and correlate presence of BA-CCM with liver transplant (LT) outcomes in this population. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, optimal cut-off values for left ventricular (LV) geometrical parameters that were highly sensitive and specific for the primary outcomes: A composite of serious adverse events (CSAE) and peritransplant death were determined. These results were used to propose a working definition for BA-CCM: (1) LV mass index (LVMI) ≥95 g/m^2.7 or (2) relative wall thickness of LV ≥0.42. Applying these criteria, BA-CCM was found in 34 of 69 (49%) patients with BA listed for LT and was associated with increased multiorgan dysfunction, mechanical and vasopressor support, and longer intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays. BA-CCM was present in all 4 waitlist deaths, 7 posttransplant deaths, and 20 patients with a CSAE (P < 0.01). On multivariable regression analysis, BA-CCM remained independently associated with both death and a CSAE (P < 0.01). Utilizing ROC analysis, LVMI was found to be a stronger predictor for adverse outcomes compared with current well-established markers, including Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease (PELD) score. Conclusion: BA-CCM is highly sensitive and specific for morbidity and mortality in children with BA listed for LT. 2DE screening for BA-CCM may provide pertinent clinical information for prioritization and optimal peritransplant management of these children.

Left Ventricular Longitudinal Contractility Predicts Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Development and Mortality After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

Acute deterioration of liver cirrhosis (e.g., infections, acute-on-chronic liver failure [ACLF]) requires an increase in cardiac contractility. The insufficiency to respond to these situations could be deleterious. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) has been shown to reflect left cardiac contractility in cirrhosis better than other parameters and might bear prognostic value. Therefore, this retrospective study investigated the role of LV-GLS in the outcome after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and the development of ACLF. We included 114 patients (48 female patients) from the Noninvasive Evaluation Program for TIPS and Their Follow-Up Network (NEPTUN) cohort. This number provided sufficient quality and structured follow-up with the possibility of calculating major scores (Child, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease [MELD], Chronic Liver Failure Consortium acute decompensation [CLIF-C AD] scores) and recording of the events (development of decompensation episode and ACLF). We analyzed the association of LV-GLS with overall mortality and development of ACLF in patients with TIPS. LV-GLS was independently associated with overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.123; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.010-1.250) together with aspartate aminotransferase (HR, 1.009; 95% CI, 1.004-1.014) and CLIF-C AD score (HR, 1.080; 95% CI, 1.018-1.137). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis for LV-GLS for overall survival showed higher area under the curve (AUC) than MELD and CLIF-C AD scores (AUC, 0.688 versus 0.646 and 0.573, respectively). The best AUROC-determined LV-GLS cutoff was -16.6% to identify patients with a significantly worse outcome after TIPS at 3 months, 6 months, and overall. LV-GLS was independently associated with development of ACLF (HR, 1.613; 95% CI, 1.025-2.540) together with a MELD score above 15 (HR, 2.222; 95% CI, 1.400-3.528). Conclusion: LV-GLS is useful for identifying patients at risk of developing ACLF and a worse outcome after TIPS. Although validation is required, this tool might help to stratify risk in patients receiving TIPS.

Incidence, Predictors, and Outcomes of New-Onset Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Adverse cardiovascular events after liver transplantation (LT) are relatively common and are a significant source of early mortality. Although new-onset systolic dysfunction after LT is a reported phenomenon, there is little data regarding its incidence, risk factors, and outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This single-center retrospective study included all adult patients from January 2002 to March 2015 with deceased-donor LT and available preoperative transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs). In total, 1,760 patients were included in the study, 602 (34.2%) of whom had a postoperative TTE. The primary end point was development of new-onset cardiomyopathy, defined as a new left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <40% within 180days of transplant. Sixty-nine (11.4%) of the patients who received post-LT TTE had a reduction in LVEF to <40% within 6 months. Clinical parameters of donor and recipient did not show significant impact on development of post-LT LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Presence of wall motion abnormalities (P = .004) on preoperative TTE was predictive of development of post-LT LVSD. These patients did not have longer hospitalizations, but they had worse survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-LT LV systolic dysfunction occurs at higher rates than previously suspected and may develop more frequently in patients with underlying cardiac structural abnormalities, which appear to adversely affect post-LT survival.

Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy After Transplantation: Neither the Transient Nor Innocent Bystander

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in end-stage liver disease is currently characterized by blunted contractile systolic response to stress with or without diastolic dysfunction in the absence of known heart disease. Since the establishment of the diagnostic criteria of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in 2005, there have been multiple studies regarding its pathophysiology and pretransplant clinical course. The data regarding the post-transplant course of this entity are sparse. This review addresses the course and prognosis of the elements of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation (LT). To this end, there is limited compelling evidence demonstrating the reversibility of this entity post-LT. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may, in fact, increase the risk of post-transplant complications. This review reveals a need to refine the diagnostic criteria of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in view of the remarkable progress in the sphere of echocardiographic evaluation of systolic and diastolic dysfunction. The post-transplant course and outcomes related to cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may be better evaluated in the setting of updated diagnostic criteria.

The Pre-Transplant Profile of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Its Impact on Long-Term Mortality After Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important aggravating factor for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) outcomes. CVD still seems to be one of the most common cause of death in the long-term post-transplant period. Nevertheless, there are some limited data regarding the optimal strategy of risk assessment during OLT candidate evaluation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Routine pre-transplant cardiac workup in 360 patients with end stage liver disease (ESLD) included electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and exercise stress testing. The aim of this retrospective study was an analysis of the impact of cardiovascular risk profile on overall mortality in the 2-year follow-up of 160 patients who underwent liver transplantation. RESULTS Cardiovascular risk factors or a history of CVD were found in 23.1% of patients who received transplants. The cardiovascular risk factors most common in our group of transplant recipients with ESLD were: diabetes (26.3%), hypertension (25.6%), and hepatopulmonary syndrome (23.1%). Only 3.8% of patients had a positive exercise test. Coronary angiography revealed at least 50% stenosis in some epicardial arteries in 1.9% of patients. The risk of death in long-term follow-up of liver transplant recipients was most strongly associated with 3 cardiac variables: history of coronary artery disease (CAD), angiographically confirmed coronary stenosis, and reduced ejection fraction (EF). CONCLUSIONS Our study identified pre-transplant CAD with its consequences as a factor associated with increased risk of negative post-transplant outcomes.

De novo aortopathy and cardiovascular outcomes in paediatric liver transplant recipients

With the increase in long-term survival of post-transplant children, there is a paradigm shift in the emphasis of post-transplant care. We describe de novo cardiovascular abnormalities, which occurred in otherwise asymptomatic paediatric liver transplant recipients, who received liver allografts between 1991 and 2014 at the National University Hospital, Singapore, detected during routine post-transplant monitoring. A total of 96 paediatric liver transplants were performed in 90 children. After transplant, 7/90 (7.8%) recipients were identified with new-onset aortopathy. Glycogen storage disease type I (42.9% versus 2.4%; p<0.001) and recipient Epstein-Barr virus seropositivity (85.7 versus 31.0%, p=0.004) were significant risk factors for aortopathy on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, only glycogen storage disease type I remained as the significant risk factor (odds ratio 51.3 [95% confidence intervals: 1.1-2498.1, p=0.047]). Liver transplant is a double-edged sword that reverses certain cardiopulmonary complications of end-stage liver disease but may induce de novo structural cardiac injury in the form of aortic dilation.

Preoperative QTc Interval is Not Associated With Intraoperative Cardiac Events or Mortality in Liver Transplantation Patients

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study was to determine whether liver transplantation recipients with preoperative prolonged corrected (QTc) intervals have a higher incidence of intraoperative cardiac events and/or postoperative mortality compared with their peers with normal QTc intervals.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Single academic hospital in New York, NY.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients undergoing liver transplantation between 2007 and 2016.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Data relating to all liver transplantation recipients with preoperative electrocardiograms were queried from an institutional anesthesia data warehouse and electronic medical records. Primary outcomes were a composite outcome of intraoperative cardiac events and postoperative mortality. Patients with a prolonged QTc interval (>450 ms for men, >470 ms for women) did not demonstrate an association with intraoperative cardiac events, 30- or 90-day mortality, in-hospital mortality, or overall mortality compared with recipients in the normal QTc interval group. A prolonged QTc was found to be associated with increased anesthesia time, surgical time, length of hospital stay, and incidence of fresh frozen plasma and platelets transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged QTc interval is not associated with an increased incidence of intraoperative cardiac events or mortality in liver transplantation recipients. The demonstrated correlation among QTc length and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score, blood component requirements, surgical and anesthetic times, and hospital length of stay likely represents the association between QTc length and severity of liver disease.

Preoperative dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with increased mortality in patients who undergo orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Chronic vasodilatory state and poor exercise tolerance in patients with end-stage liver disease make dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) preferred for preoperative evaluation of CAD prior to OLT. We studied the incidence of positive DSE results and the association between DSE results and perioperative and longer-term events.

HYPOTHESIS

DSE results pre-OLT will predict short and long term outcomes.

METHODS

We studied 460 patients who underwent DSE within 1 year prior to OLT between 2004 and 2011. Primary events included death and MI at 30 days post-OLT. We also recorded longer-term deaths.

RESULTS

Four patients (0.9%) had an ischemic response to DSE, 360 (78%) were normal, and 96 (21%) were nondiagnostic. Fourteen patients (3%) had a primary event at 30 days following OLT (13 deaths and 1 NSTEMI), and there were 108 (24%) deaths at 4.6±2 years of follow-up. No patient with ischemia on DSE had a 30-day event. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of DSE that was not normal (ie, ischemic or nondiagnostic response) to predict 30-day post-OLT events were 76%, 14%, 78%, 2%, and 97%, respectively. On Cox survival analysis, only baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.85-0.96, P < 0.001) was associated with longer-term deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing pre-OLT DSE have very low incidence of an ischemic response on DSE, and it has no association with 30-day events.

Morphologic and Functional Changes in Right-Sided Cardiac Chambers in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease and Normal Pulmonary Artery Pressure

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of chronic liver disease (CLD) on the structural and functional characteristics of right-sided heart chambers in patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure.

METHODS

Fifty-one patients with known CLD but without pulmonary hypertension or other cardiovascular conditions were consecutively enrolled, along with 25 age- and sex-matched participants. Patients with CLD were classified according to the Model of End-Stage Liver Disease score and Child-Pugh classification. Right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) dimensions, indices of RV systolic/diastolic function, and myocardial strain were measured by standard echocardiographic methods.

RESULTS

Patients in the study group had similar RV end-diastolic, end-systolic, and RA dimensions compared to controls. Similarly, neither the conventional indices of RV systolic/diastolic function nor the strain imaging findings were different between groups (P > .05). Only RV free wall thickness was significantly higher in the study group (mean ± SD, 4.15 ± 0.64 versus 3.75 ± 0.37 mm; P < .001). Right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P = .018; r = 0.334) and RA area (P = .017; r = 0.335) had a significant correlation with RV free wall thickness in patients with CLD. Patients treated with beta blockers were found to have a significant reduction in mean RV free wall strain compared to patients who did not receive beta blocker treatment (-20.37 ± 6.6 versus -24.07 ± 6.52; P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CLD had increased RV free wall thickness despite normal systolic pulmonary pressure, presumably secondary to cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. In the absence of pulmonary hypertension, however, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy did not cause impaired RV systolic or diastolic function.

Cardiac diseases among liver transplant candidates

Improvements in early survival after liver transplant (LT) have allowed for the selection of LT candidates with multiple comorbidities. Cardiovascular disease is a major contributor to post-LT complications. We performed a literature search to identify the causes of cardiac disease in the LT population and to describe techniques for diagnosis and perioperative management. As no definite guidelines for preoperative assessment (except for pulmonary heart disease) are currently available, we recommend an algorithm for preoperative cardiac work-up.