B-type natriuretic peptide is related to cardiac function and prognosis in hospitalized patients with decompensated cirrhosis

Role of Cardiac Biomarkers in Hepatic Disorders: A Literature Review

Various studies have reported the association between cardiac markers and hepatic disorders. The main objective of this review article was to elucidate the significance of important cardiac indicators such as ischemia-modified albumin, cardiac troponin, cardiac natriuretic peptides, creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, heart-type fatty acid-binding protein, osteopontin, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2, C-reactive protein, and lipoprotein(a) in the development of hepatic disorders. In addition, it highlighted recent notable discoveries and accomplishments in this field and identified areas requiring further investigation, ongoing discussions, and potential avenues for future research. Early identification and control of these cardiac markers might be helpful to control the prevalence of hepatic disorders associated with cardiovascular diseases.

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.

Left atrial strain and ventricular global longitudinal strain in cirrhotic patients using the new criteria of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium

BACKGROUND

The new criteria of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium (CCC) propose the use of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) for evaluation of systolic function in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate LV-GLS and left atrial (LA) strain in association with the severity of liver disease and to assess the characteristics of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM).

METHODS

One hundred and thirty-five cirrhotic patients were included. Standard echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) were performed, and dual X-ray absorptiometry was used to quantify the total and regional fat mass. CCM was defined, based on the criteria of CCC, as having advanced diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤50% and/or a GLS <18%.

RESULTS

LV-GLS lower or higher than the absolute mean value (22.7%) was not associated with mortality (logrank, p = 0.96). LV-GLS was higher in patients with Model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥15 compared to MELD score <15 (p = 0.004). MELD score was the only factor independently associated with systolic function (LV-GLS <22.7% vs. ≥22.7%) (Odds Ratio:1.141, p = 0.032). Patients with CCM (n = 11) had higher values of estimated volume of visceral adipose tissue compared with patients without CCM (median: 735 vs. 641 cm3 , p = 0.039). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, MELD score [Hazard Ratio (HR):1.26, p < 0.001] and LA reservoir strain (HR:0.96, p = 0.017) were the only factors independently associated with the outcome.

CONCLUSION

In our study, absolute LV-GLS was higher in more severe liver disease, and LA reservoir strain was significantly associated with the outcome in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Higher BNP/NT-pro BNP levels stratify prognosis equally well in patients with and without heart failure: a meta-analysis

AIMS

The initial and dynamic levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal-prohormone BNP (NT-proBNP) are routinely used in clinical practice to identify patients with acute and chronic heart failure. In addition, BNP/NT-proBNP levels might be useful for risk stratification in patients with and without heart failure. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate, whether the value of BNP/NT-proBNP as predictors of long-term prognosis differentiates in cohorts with and without heart failure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We systematically searched established scientific databases for studies evaluating the prognostic value of BNP or NT-proBNP. Random effect models were constructed. Data from 66 studies with overall 83 846 patients (38 studies with 46 099 patients with heart failure and 28 studies with 37 747 patients without heart failure) were included. In the analysis of the log-transformed BNP/NT-proBNP levels, an increase in natriuretic peptides by one standard deviation was associated with a 1.7-fold higher MACE rate (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.74[1.58-1.91], P < 0.0001). The effect sizes were comparable, with a substantial overlap in the confidence intervals, when comparing studies involving patients with and without heart failure (1.75[1.54-2.0], P < 0.0001 vs. 1.74[1.47-2.06], P < 0.0001). Similar results were observed when stratifying by quartiles of BNP/NT-proBNP. In studies using pre-defined cut-off-values for BNP/NT-proBNP, elevated levels were associated with the long-term prognosis, independent of the specific cut-off value used.

CONCLUSIONS

BNP/NT-proBNP levels are predictors for adverse long-term outcome in patients with and without known heart failure. Further research is necessary to establish appropriate thresholds, especially in non-heart failure cohorts.

Hepatocellular carcinoma induces body mass loss in parallel with osmolyte and water retention in rats

AIMS

The number of cancer survivors with cardiovascular disease is increasing. However, the effect of cancer on body fluid regulation remains to be clarified. In this study, we evaluated body osmolyte and water imbalance in rats with hepatocellular carcinoma.

MAIN METHODS

Wistar rats were administered diethylnitrosamine, a carcinogenic drug, to establish liver cancer. We analyzed tissue osmolyte and water content, and their associations with aldosterone secretion.

KEY FINDINGS

Hepatocellular carcinoma rats had significantly reduced body mass and the amount of total body sodium, potassium, and water. However, these rats had significantly increased relative tissue sodium, potassium, and water content per tissue dry weight. Furthermore, these changes in sodium and water balance in hepatocellular carcinoma rats were significantly associated with increased 24-h urinary aldosterone excretion. Supplementation with 0.25% salt in drinking water improved body weight reduction associated with sodium and water retention in hepatocellular carcinoma rats, which was suppressed by treatment with spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. Additionally, the urea-driven water conservation system was activated in hepatocellular carcinoma rats.

SIGNIFICANCE

These findings suggest that hepatocellular carcinoma induces body mass loss in parallel with activation of the water conservation system including aldosterone secretion and urea accumulation to retain osmolyte and water. The osmolyte and water retention at the tissue level may be a causative factor for ascites and edema formation in liver failure rats.

Limitations of current liver donor allocation systems and the impact of newer indications for liver transplantation

Liver transplantation represents a life-saving treatment for patients with decompensated cirrhosis, a severe condition associated with a high risk of waiting list mortality. When decompensation occurs rapidly in the presence of extrahepatic organ failures, the condition is called acute-on-chronic liver failure, which is associated with an even higher risk of death, though liver transplantation can also markedly improve survival in affected patients. However, there are still gaps in our understanding of how to optimise prioritisation and organ allocation, as well as survival among patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (both before and after transplant). Moreover, it is urgent to address inequalities in access to liver transplantation in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Several controversies still exist regarding gender and regional disparities, as well as the use of suboptimal donor grafts. In this review, we aim to provide a critical perspective on the role of liver transplantation in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and address areas of ongoing uncertainty.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) predicts 90-day mortality and need for paracentesis in cirrhotic patients without systolic heart failure

Fluid overload is a common complication in patients with cirrhosis. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a marker of increased blood volume, commonly used in heart failure, that has been shown to be elevated in patients with liver disease. This study examined if BNP levels can be used to determine prognosis and predict worsening of ascites in patients with cirrhosis without concomitant heart disease. A retrospective study was performed at a large urban hospital in Chicago, Illinois and included 430 patients with cirrhosis who had BNP levels ordered during their hospital stay. Patients with clinical heart failure, arrhythmias or pulmonary hypertension were excluded. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality and the secondary outcome was a requirement for therapeutic paracentesis in the 90 days following BNP results. 53 patients (12%) had BNP levels ≥ 300 pg/mL. They had significantly increased serum levels of creatinine, bilirubin, and International Normalized Ratio (INR) when compared to those with BNP < 300 pg/mL. Patients with higher BNP had significantly higher mortality rates (HR 3.49; p = 0.037) and were more likely to require therapeutic paracentesis (HR 2.26; p = 0.02) in the next 90 days. A BNP ≥ 300 pg/mL had specificity of 88.2% in predicting 90-day mortality. BNP may serve as a practical and reliable marker of underlying disease severity in patients with cirrhosis, with potential to be included in prognostication tools for assessment of end-stage liver disease.

Fluid Biomarkers for Predicting the Prognosis of Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is the terminal stage of most chronic liver conditions, with a high risk of mortality. Careful evaluation of the prognosis of cirrhotic patients and providing precise management are crucial to reduce the risk of mortality. Although the liver biopsy and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) can efficiently evaluate the prognosis of cirrhotic patients, their application is limited due to the invasion procedures. Child-Pugh score and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score had been widely used in the assessment of cirrhotic prognosis, but the defects of subjective variable application in Child-Pugh score and unsuitability to all phases of liver cirrhosis in MELD score limit their prognostic values. In recent years, continuous efforts have been made to investigate the prognostic value of body fluid biomarkers for cirrhotic patients, and promising results have been reported. Since the collection of fluid specimens is easy, noninvasive, and repeatable, fluid biomarkers can be ideal indicators to predict the prognosis of cirrhosis. Here, we reviewed noninvasive fluid biomarkers in different prognostic functions, including the prediction of survival and complication development.

NT-proBNP and Echocardiographic Parameters in Liver Cirrhosis - Correlations with Disease Severity

determined. Liver disease severity in patients with cirrhosis was established by Child-Pugh class, MELD score and presence/absence of ascites. Results: Plasma levels of NT-proBNP were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in the healthy subjects. NT-proBNP levels were also significantly elevated in Child-Pugh class C patients compared to those in class B and A. Left atrium size, diastolic function, left ventricular wall thickness and left ventricular ejection fraction were significantly altered in cirrhotic patients compared to controls. Advanced cirrhosis and high levels of NT-proBNP were significantly associated with increased left atrium volume and signs of cardiac diastolic dysfunction. We also observed significant differences between quartile groups of MELD score for the following: NT-proBNP, Troponin I, left atrium volume, left ventricle wall thickness, lateral wall and septum systolic tissue doppler velocities and global longitudinal strain. Conclusion: NT-proBNP is increased in patients with cirrhosis and is correlated with the severity of liver disease as established by Child-Pugh class, MELD score and presence of ascites.

B-type peptides to predict post–liver transplant mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation are at risk of cardiac complications. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-BNP) are used in cardiac risk stratification. Their significance in predicting mortality risk in cirrhotic patients during or after liver transplantation is unknown. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to answer this question. Methods: An electronic search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2005–September 2016), Google Scholar, and study bibliographies was conducted. Study quality was determined, and demographic and outcome data were gathered. Random effects meta-analyses of mortality-based BNP and NT-BNP level or presence of post-transplant heart failure were conducted. Results: Seven studies including 2,010 patients were identified. Demographics were similar between patients with high or low BNP or NT-BNP levels. Hepatitis C was the most prevalent etiology of cirrhosis (38%). Meta-analysis revealed a pooled relative risk of 3.1 (95% CI 1.9% to 5.0%) for post-transplant mortality based on elevated BNP or NT-BNP level. Meta-analysis also revealed a pooled relative risk of 1.6 (95% CI 1.3% to 2.1%) for post-transplant mortality if patients had demonstrated post-transplant heart failure. Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that BNP or NT-BNP measurement may help in risk stratification and provides data on post-operative mortality in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation. Discriminatory thresholds are higher in cirrhotic patients relative to prior studies with non-cirrhotic patients. However, the number of analyzed studies is limited, and our findings should be validated further through larger, prospective studies.

Doppler myocardial performance index combined with plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels as a marker of cardiac function in patients with decompensated cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

In chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis ranks as the 14th highest death cause worldwide, developing into decompensated cirrhosis. A potential and feasible technique in assessing cardiac function is urgent. This study explores if the Doppler myocardial performance (Tei) index combined with the plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels can assess cardiac function in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

METHODS

A total of 140 individuals were selected in the study and were classified into 3 groups: control group (n = 40, healthy individuals), compensated cirrhosis group (n = 50), and decompensated cirrhosis group (n = 50). Plasma BNP levels, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), and albumin (ALB) were identified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation of Tei index between left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) as well as plasma BNP levels with cardiac function was assessed using a Pearson test analysis. All patients were subjected to this experiment for 1 year to analyze the relationship between Tei index and plasma BNP levels in prognosis of decompensated cirrhosis patients.

RESULTS

Patients with decompensated cirrhosis showed significantly elevated levels of ALT, AST, and TBIL level in contrary to a reduced ALB level. Cirrhosis patients also showed a significantly reduced ejection fraction (ET) index, but an increase in isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), Tei index, and plasma BNP levels in comparison to healthy individuals. ICT, IRT, Tei index, and plasma BNP levels were elevated in decompensated cirrhotic patients as opposed to compensated cirrhotic patients. These results indicate a positive correlation of both Tei index and plasma BNP levels with cirrhosis and its progression. Tei index and plasma BNP levels are positively associated with Child-Pugh classification and negatively correlated with both cardiac function and prognosis in patients suffering from decompensated cirrhosis.

CONCLUSION

The study provided evidence supporting the correlation of Tei index and plasma BNP levels in decompensated cirrhotic patients with cardiac function, highlighting a potential value for evaluation.

Cardiac diastolic dysfunction predicts poor prognosis in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis

Background/Aims

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an early manifestation of cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). However, the effect of LVDD on survival has not been clarified, especially in decompensated LC.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 70 patients with decompensated LC, including ascites or variceal bleeding, at Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital from April 2013 to April 2015. The cardiac function of these patients was evaluated using 2D echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging. The diagnosis of LVDD was based on the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. The primary endpoint was overall survival.

Results

Forty-four patients (62.9%) had LVDD. During follow-up (22.3 months), 18 patients died (16 with LVDD and 2 without LVDD). The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with LVDD than in those without LVDD (31.1 months vs. 42.6 months, P=0.01). In a multivariate analysis, the Child-Pugh score and LVDD were independent predictors of survival. Moreover, patients with a ratio of early filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e’) ≥ 10 (LVDD grade 2) had lower survival than patients with E/e’ ratio < 10.

Conclusions

The presence of LVDD is associated with poor survival in patients with decompensated LC. Therefore, it may be important to monitor and closely follow LVDD patients.

New Definition Criteria of Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Speckle Tracking and Tissue Doppler Imaging Study

There are no clear recommendations regarding cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CC) evaluation in patients with pre-transplant liver cirrhosis. The roles of new methods, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in the diagnosis and prognosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy remain controversial. We investigated the utility of TDI/STE parameters in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy diagnosis and also in predicting mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. Left/right ventricular function was studied using conventional TDI (velocities) and STE (strain/strain rate). We assessed left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, graded into four new classes (I/Ia/II/III). Serum NTproBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide), troponin I, β-crosslaps, QTc interval, arterial compliance and endothelial function were measured. Liver-specific scores (Child-Pugh, MELD, MELDNa) were computed. There was a 1-y follow-up visit to determine mortality. We observed resting biventricular diastolic myocardial dysfunction, not presently included in the definition of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. We provided an improved characterization of cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis. This might change the current definition. However, the utility of STE/TDI parameters in predicting long-term mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis remains controversial.

Bile acids and cardiovascular function in cirrhosis

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and the hyperdynamic syndrome are clinically important complications of cirrhosis, but their exact pathogenesis is still partly unknown. Experimental models have proven the cardiotoxic effects of bile acids and recent studies of their varied receptor-mediated functions offer new insight into their involvement in cardiovascular dysfunction in cirrhosis. Bile acid receptors such as farnesoid X-activated receptor and TGR5 are currently under investigation as potential therapeutic targets in a variety of pathological conditions. These receptors have also recently been identified in cardiomyocytes, vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells where they seem to play an important role in cellular metabolism. Chronic cholestasis leading to abnormal levels of circulating bile acids alters the normal signalling pathways and contributes to the development of profound cardiovascular disturbances. This review summarizes the evidence regarding the role of bile acids and their receptors in the generation of cardiovascular dysfunction in cirrhosis.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: Implications for liver transplantation

The majority of patients on a waiting list for liver transplantation have end-stage liver disease. Because of the marked peripheral vasodilatation of end-stage cirrhosis that masks a latent myocardial dysfunction, cardiac abnormalities in the resting state are usually subclinical and escape the attention of physicians. However, when challenged, the systolic and diastolic contractile responses are attenuated. In addition to these contractile abnormalities, morphological changes, such as enlargement or hypertrophy of cardiac chambers, and electrophysiological repolarization changes, including a prolonged QT interval, can be observed. The constellation of these cardiac abnormalities is termed cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Liver transplantation induces significant cardiovascular stress. Clamping of the inferior vena cava and portal vein, hemorrhage and blood/volume infusion, and ischemia/reperfusion all cause hemodynamic fluctuation. The changing cardiac preload and afterload status increases the cardiac workload, and thus, the previously subclinical ventricular dysfunction may manifest as overt heart failure during the operative and perioperative periods. Cardiac dysfunction contributes to morbidity and mortality associated with liver transplantation. Cardiovascular events are the third leading cause of death in liver recipients. However, because liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment for end-stage liver failure and also appears to reverse cardiac abnormalities, it is important to understand the challenges of the heart in liver transplantation. This review focuses on cardiac status before, during, and after liver transplantation. Liver Transplantation 23 826-835 2017 AASLD.

Immune-Inflammatory and Metabolic Effects of High Dose Furosemide plus Hypertonic Saline Solution (HSS) Treatment in Cirrhotic Subjects with Refractory Ascites

Introduction

Patients with chronic liver diseases are usually thin as a result of hypermetabolism and malnutrition expressed by reduced levels of leptin and impairment of other adyponectins such as visfatin.

Aims

We evaluated the metabolic and inflammatory effects of intravenous high-dose furosemide plus hypertonic saline solutions (HSS) compared with repeated paracentesis and a standard oral diuretic schedule, in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites.

Methods

59 consecutive cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites unresponsive to outpatient treatment. Enrolled subjects were randomized to treatment with intravenous infusion of furosemide (125–250mg⁄bid) plus small volumes of HSS from the first day after admission until 3 days before discharge (Group A, n:38), or repeated paracentesis from the first day after admission until 3 days before discharge (Group B, n: 21). Plasma levels of ANP, BNP, Leptin, visfatin, IL-1β, TNF-a, IL-6 were measured before and after the two type of treatment.

Results

Subjects in group A were observed to have a significant reduction of serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, ANP, BNP, and visfatin, thus regarding primary efficacy endpoints, in Group A vs. Group B we observed higher Δ-TNF-α, Δ-IL-1β, Δ-IL-6, Δ-ANP, Δ-BNP, Δ-visfatin, Δ-Leptin at discharge.

Discussion

Our findings underline the possible inflammatory and metabolic effect of saline overload correction in treatment of cirrhosis complications such as refractory ascites, suggesting a possible role of inflammatory and metabolic-nutritional variables as severity markers in these patients.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Liver Cirrhosis and Fatty Liver: Correlation with Cardiac Performance

Objective

The aims of the present study were to assess the serum BNP level in patients with post hepatitis C liver cirrhosis and patients with fatty liver and to determine the correlation between BNP and the severity of liver disease and cardiac performance.

Methods

The study was conducted on 140 subjects subdivided into 3 groups: group 1 included 60 patients having post hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver cirrhosis; group 2 included 60 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); and group 3 included 20 healthy volunteers serving as a control group. All patients and volunteers were subjected to full physical examinations, laboratory evaluation of hemoglobin percent, liver and renal function tests, serum electrolytes, cholesterol, triglyceride, HBs antigen, HCV antibody and serum BNP levels, ECG, abdominal ultrasonography, and echocardiography.

Results

There was a significant increase in the BNP level in cirrhotic patients compared to the other two groups (p = 0.000), and it was correlated with the severity of liver disease assigned as Child’s classification (p = 0.000). Also, there was a significant increase in the BNP level in cirrhotic patients with decompensation components compared to those without decompensation components (p = 0.000), history of hepatic encephalopathy (p = 0.000), history of variceal bleeding (p = 0.000), history of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (p = 0.000), presence of ascites (p = 0.000) and portal vein diameter > 11 mm in abdominal ultrasound (p = 0.000), and prolonged QTc interval in ECG (p = 0.011). There was a significant increase in serum BNP in patients with cirrhosis with the following echocardiographic findings: IVST > 11 mm, PWT > 11 mm, LA diameter > 40 mm, EF% < 54%, and E/A ratio < 1 compared to those without these echocardiographic findings (p = 0.000).

Conclusion

BNP level increases in post hepatitis C cirrhotic patients and tends to decrease in fatty liver disease patients, and it is correlated with both the severity of liver disease and the morpho-functional cardiac changes. Given the ever-increasing prevalence of liver cirrhosis and fatty liver disease worldwide, it is important to understand the benefits and limitations of BNP as a heart failure biomarker in hepatic patients, where the relationship between BNP level and myocardial function is complex and is altered by the liver disease.

The heart matters when the liver shatters! Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: frequency, comparison, and correlation with severity of disease

Introduction

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a visor complication among patients with cirrhosis of the liver, manifesting during stress, exertion, transjuglar intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), or liver transplantation. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is reported to be most common cause of post transplant mortality after rejection of 7% to 21%.

Aim

To determine the frequency of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and was further designed to compare parameters of cardiac dysfunction in patients with or without cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

Material and methods

All confirmed cases of cirrhosis with various aetiologies were enrolled. Resting ejection fraction (EF) was determined in all patients. Patients were grouped with resting EF < 55% (suspected cardiomyopathy) or > 55% (without cardiomyopathy). Stress echocardiography with dobutamine infusion in both groups yielded an increase of less than 10% in left ventricular (LV) EF at peak dobutamine infusion confirming systolic dysfunction. The diastolic dysfunction (E/A ratio), electrocardiographic parameter (prolong QT interval), and cardiac biomarker (NT-proBNP) were also determined in both the groups to confirm cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

Results

Among 89 patients with cirrhosis, 35 (39.32%) had cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. All components of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, like systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, prolong QT interval, and cardiac biomarkers, were found to be statistically significant (p = 0.001) when compared with patients without cardiomyopathy. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy parameters were positively correlated with advancing liver disease.

Conclusions

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a frequent but unmasked complication in cirrhosis of the liver. All components of cardiac dysfunction, such as systolic, diastolic, and electrocardiographic changes, are present in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is positively correlated to severity of liver disease.

Recent advances in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, a cardiac dysfunction presented in patients with cirrhosis, represents a recently recognized clinical entity. It is characterized by altered diastolic relaxation, impaired contractility, and electrophysiological abnormalities, in particular prolongation of the QT interval. Several mechanisms seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, including impaired function of beta-receptors, altered transmembrane currents, and overproduction of cardiodepressant factors, like nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor α, and endogenous cannabinoids. Diastolic dysfunction is the first manifestation of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and reflects the increased stiffness of the cardiac mass, which leads to delayed left ventricular filling. On the other hand, systolic incompetence is presented later, is usually unmasked during pharmacological or physical stress, and predisposes to the development of hepatorenal syndrome. The prolongation of QT is found in about 50 % of cirrhotic patients, but rarely leads to fatal arrhythmias. Cirrhotics with blunted cardiac function seem to have poorer survival rates compared to those without, and the risk is particularly increased during the insertion of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or liver transplantation. Till now, there is no specific treatment for the management of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. New agents, targeting to its pathogenetical mechanisms, may play some role as future therapeutic options.

Diastolic cardiac dysfunction is a predictor of dismal prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) constitutes the prominent characteristic of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, but its relevance on the clinical course of cirrhotic patients has not been clearly defined. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship of LVDD with the severity and etiology of liver disease and to investigate whether it affects the outcome of cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

Cardiac function of 45 cirrhotics was studied by a tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography. Diagnosis of LVDD was made according to the latest guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography. All patients were followed up for a period of 2 years. Death or liver transplantation was the endpoint of the study.

RESULTS

LVDD was found in 17 (38 %) of 45 patients. Its presence was not found to be associated with the etiology and stage of cirrhosis, but its severity was directly correlated with the Child-Pugh score. At the end of follow-up, 14 patients had died; 9 had LVDD (9/17, 53 %) and 5 had not (5/28, 18 %). Patients who died at the beginning of observation period had a higher Child-Pugh and MELD score, higher BNP, lower albumin and more prolonged QTc. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients with LVDD had statistically significantly worse prognosis compared to those without (p = 0.013, log rank: 5.495). Low albumin values (p = 0.003) and presence of LVDD (p = 0.017) were independent predictive factors of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

LVDD is a common complication of cirrhosis. As its development seems to be related to a worse prognosis, patients with LVDD must be under a strict follow-up.

Systolic dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction do not influence medium-term prognosis in patients with cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE

Myocardial dysfunction has been described in patients with cirrhosis and may contribute to haemodynamic disturbances in advanced disease states. However, the prognostic impact of cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunction in cirrhosis is controversial. We aimed to evaluate the performance of echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function as medium-term prognostic markers, in a cohort of cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

Ninety-eight patients (52 discharged after hospitalization for decompensated cirrhosis and 46 ambulatory) were prospectively evaluated. A comprehensive echocardiographic study, including tissue-Doppler and speckle tracking analysis, was performed at baseline. Patients were followed-up for 6 months for the occurrence of death.

RESULTS

Twenty patients died during the follow-up. None of the echocardiographic parameters were associated with the occurrence of death. A Child score>10 points (HR 13.1, 95% CI 3.79-45.0, p<0.001) and a mean arterial pressure below the median (HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.14-8.80, p=0.028) were the only independent predictors of mortality in Cox regression multivariate analysis. In previously hospitalized patients, cardiac output, C-reactive protein and albumin levels were associated with 6-month mortality in univariate analysis; this association was lost after adjusting for Child score.

CONCLUSIONS

Medium-term mortality in cirrhosis seems to be mainly determined by liver disease severity rather than by myocardial dysfunction. Modern echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic function do not seem to be useful in identifying patients at increased risk of dying.

NT-proBNP Changes in Patients with Ascites during Large Volume Paracentesis

Background. N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a hormone involved in the regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis. Changes in serum NT-proBNP during large volume paracentesis (LVP) in patients with ascites have never before been examined. Aims. To determine if significant changes in serum NT-proBNP occur in patients undergoing LVP and the associated clinical correlates in patients with cirrhosis. Method. A total of 45 patients with ascites were prospectively recruited. Serum NT-proBNP, biochemistry, and haemodynamics were determined at baseline and at key time points during and after paracentesis. Results. 34 patients were analysed; 19 had ascites due to cirrhosis and 15 from malignancy. In those with cirrhosis, NT-proBNP decreased by 77.3 pg/mL at 2 L of drainage and 94.3 pg/mL at the end of paracentesis, compared with an increase of 10.5 pg/mL and 77.2 pg/mL in cancer patients at the same time points (P = 0.05 and P = 0.03). Only congestive cardiac failure (CCF) was an independent predictor of significant NT-proBNP changes at the end of drainage in cirrhotic patients (P < 0.01). There were no significant changes in haemodynamics or renal biochemistry for either group. Conclusion. Significant reductions in serum NT-proBNP during LVP occur in patients with cirrhosis but not malignancy, and only comorbid CCF appeared to predict such changes.

Systolic and diastolic dysfunction in cirrhosis: a tissue-Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Cardiac dysfunction has been described in patients with cirrhosis. Conventional echocardiographic methods are frequently unable to detect abnormalities at rest and have limitations. We aimed to evaluate cardiac function in cirrhosis patients assessing: (i) left ventricular systolic function using speckle-tracking imaging; (ii) diastolic function using a tissue-Doppler based algorithm and comparing it with previously proposed definition of diastolic dysfunction (DD).

METHODS

We included 109 hospitalized and ambulatory patients with cirrhosis and 18 healthy controls. Detailed echocardiographic evaluation was performed including tissue-Doppler and speckle-tracking analysis.

RESULTS

Peak systolic longitudinal strain (PLS) was lower in patients [-19.99% (-21.88 to -18.71) vs -22.02% (-23.10 to -21.18), P = 0.003]. Ejection fraction was similar in patients and controls [64% (59-67) vs 61% (60-65), P = 0.42)]. Based on mitral-flow pattern, DD was present in 44 patients (40.4%). Patients without DD had higher cardiac output compared with those with DD [6.4 L/min (5.4-7.2) vs 5.6 L/min (4.6-6.8), P = 0.02]. Using a tissue-Doppler based definition, the prevalence of DD was 16.5%. No differences in haemodynamic variables were found in patients with and without this definition of DD. The agreement between the two definitions of DD was weak (kappa = 0.24, P = 0.003). Echocardiographic abnormalities in systolic and diastolic function were not different in compensated vs decompensated patients in different Child-Pugh classes or cirrhosis aetiologies.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cirrhosis have systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction at rest. Newer echocardiographic techniques may identify patients with functional impairment more accurately than conventional methods, which are more influenced by flow conditions.

Does cirrhotic cardiomyopathy exist? 50 years of uncertainty

Subtle abnormalities of cardiac structure or function are often identified in patients with liver cirrhosis and have been termed cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. However, in the absence of a precise definition, its diagnosis remains a challenge. Cardiac dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis can often be attributed to concomitant diseases such as hypertension, ischaemic heart disease or excess alcohol consumption in many patients. Further research is required to identify the existence, origin and importance of abnormal cardiac function due specifically to liver disease. Cardiac dysfunction may be masked by treatments given to cirrhotic patients, such as mineral-corticoid receptor antagonists, or by co-existing conditions, such as anaemia. New imaging tests or plasma biomarkers might be able to detect abnormal cardiac function at an early stage of its development.

Left atrial function is impaired in cirrhosis: a speckle tracking echocardiographic study

PURPOSE

Abnormalities in left ventricular systolic and diastolic function have been described in patients with cirrhosis. There are no studies on left atrial (LA) function in these patients. We aimed to evaluate LA function in cirrhosis patients using myocardial deformation imaging.

METHODS

We included 111 hospitalized and ambulatory patients with cirrhosis and 18 healthy controls. A comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation was performed; LA strain was assessed using velocity vector imaging.

RESULTS

Peak atrial longitudinal strain at the end of ventricular systole was lower in patients [41.9 % (34.4-51.0) vs. 48.0 % (42.0-57.1), p = 0.02]. No differences were found in atrial strain before atrial contraction in patients and controls [17.5 % (14.3-22.4) vs. 20.7 % (14.1-26.3), p = 0.14]. On multivariate linear regression analysis, E' velocity was the only variable independently associated with peak atrial longitudinal strain (R (2) = 47 %). No correlation was found between the LA volume index (LAVI) and peak atrial longitudinal strain (r = -0.136, p = 0.219). Peak atrial longitudinal strain performed better than LAVI in identifying patients with elevated filling pressures (AUC = 0.81 vs. 0.52).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cirrhosis have abnormal atrial reservoir function, which may be related to the same factors associated with impaired ventricular relaxation. LA enlargement in cirrhosis may not reflect elevated filling pressures and should not be used as an isolated marker of diastolic dysfunction. The atrial "pump" function does not seem to be affected in cirrhosis patients.

NT pro BNP plasma level and atrial volume are linked to the severity of liver cirrhosis

Background and Aims

Plasma levels of NT-pro-BNP, a natriuretic peptide precursor, are raised in the presence of fluid retention of cardiac origin and can be used as markers of cardiac dysfunction. Recent studies showed high levels of NT pro BNP in patients with cirrhosis. We assessed NT pro-BNP and other parameters of cardiac dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis, with or without ascites, in order to determine whether the behaviour of NT pro BNP is linked to the stage of liver disease or to secondary cardiac dysfunction.

Methods

Fifty eight consecutive hospitalized patients mostly with viral or NAFLD-related cirrhosis were studied. All underwent abdominal ultrasound and upper GI endoscopy. Cardiac morpho-functional changes were evaluated by echocardiography and NT-pro-BNP plasma levels determined upon admission. Twenty-eight hypertensive patients, without evidence of liver disease served as controls.

Results

Fifty eight cirrhotic patients (72% men) with a median age of 62 years (11% with mild arterial hypertension and 31% with type 2 diabetes) had a normal renal function (mean creatinine 0.9 mg/dl, range 0.7–1.06). As compared to controls, cirrhotic patients had higher NT pro-BNP plasma levels (365.2±365.2 vs 70.8±70.6 pg/ml; p<0.001). Left atrial volume (LAV) (61.8±26.3 vs 43.5±14.1 ml; p = 0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction (62.7±6.9 vs. 65.5±4%,; p = 0.05) were also altered in cirrhotic patients that in controls. Patients with F2-F3 oesophageal varices as compared to F0/F1, showed higher e' velocity (0.91±0.23 vs 0.66±0.19 m/s, p<0.001), and accordingly a higher E/A ratio (1.21±0.46 vs 0.89±0.33 m/s., p = 0.006).

Conclusion

NT-pro-BNP plasma levels are increased proportionally to the stage of chronic liver disease. Advanced cirrhosis and high NT-pro-BNP levels are significantly associated to increased LAV and to signs of cardiac diastolic dysfunction. NT pro-BNP levels could hence be an useful prognostic indicators of early decompensation of cirrhosis.

Assessment of circulating N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide concentration to differentiate between cardiac from noncardiac causes of pleural effusion in cats

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnostic ability of blood N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement to differentiate between congestive heart failure (CHF) and noncardiogenic causes for moderate to severe pleural effusion in cats.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

University teaching hospital.

ANIMALS

Twenty-one cats with moderate to severe pleural effusion.

INTERVENTIONS

Venous blood sampling for NT-proBNP measurement.

MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS

According to the results of echocardiographic examination, cats were classified in a group with CHF (n = 11) or noncongestive heart failure (N-CHF, n = 10). NT-proBNP was measured via a feline-specific test in EDTA plasma with protease inhibitor. NT-proBNP was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in the CHF group ( median 982 pmol/L, 355-1,286 pmol/L) than in the N-CHF group (median 69 pmol/L, 26 - 160 pmol/L) and discriminated exactly (area under the curve = 1.0, 95% confidence interval 1.0-1.0) between both groups. Optimum cut-off value considering all samples was 258 pmol/L.

CONCLUSION

In this small population of cats with pleural effusion, NT-proBNP was able to differentiate between cats with cardiogenic and noncardiogenic causes of effusion. With the currently recommended method of measurement (ie, EDTA plasma with protease inhibitor), a cut-off value of 258 pmol/L discriminates effectively between cats with and without CHF.

Clinical utility of natriuretic peptides in left ventricular failure

Left ventricular failure (LVF) is a clinical syndrome caused by abnormal systolic or diastolic function failing to meet the metabolic requirements of the body. It is important to diagnose and manage LVF in the earliest stages to prevent mortality and morbidity. This article extensively reviews the diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic utility of natriuretic peptides in LVF.

The end-organ impairment in liver cirrhosis: appointments for critical care

Liver cirrhosis (LC) can lead to a clinical state of liver failure, which can exacerbate through the course of the disease. New therapies aimed to control the diverse etiologies are now more effective, although the disease may result in advanced stages of liver failure, where liver transplantation (LT) remains the most effective treatment. The extended lifespan of these patients and the extended possibilities of liver support devices make their admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) more probable. In this paper the LC is approached from the point of view of the pathophysiological alterations present in LC patients previous to ICU admission, particularly cardiovascular, but also renal, coagulopathic, and encephalopathic. Infections and available liver detoxifications devices also deserve mentioning. We intend to contribute towards ICU physician readiness to the care for this particular type of patients, possibly in dedicated ICUs.

Evaluation of intraoperative brain natriuretic peptide as a predictor of 1-year mortality after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Although brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a marker of cardiac dysfunction, has been known to predict postoperative mortality, little is known about the postoperative prognostic ability of BNP in liver transplantation (OLT) recipients. We aimed to determine whether intraoperative BNP level can predict 1-year all-cause mortality after OLT.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated 525 OLT recipients. BNP and hemodynamic parameters were simultaneously measured 1 hour after induction of anesthesia. Cox regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed to determine clinical predictors and optimal cutoff values of post-OLT mortality.

RESULTS

The 1-year all-cause mortality rate was 9.7% (51/525). Median BNP concentration was significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors (114 vs 56 pg/mL, P < .001). Significant factors in univariate Cox regression analysis were Child-Pugh score, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, logBNP, hemoglobin, creatinine, heart rate, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, and central venous pressure. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, independent predictors of posttransplant mortality were MELD score and logBNP. However, simultaneously measured hemodynamic parameters did not remain predictors. BNP levels greater than a cutoff of 136 pg/mL (specificity = 83.5%, negative predictive value = 93.6%) were associated with increased post-OLT mortality (log-rank test P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative BNP level is an independent predictor of 1-year all-cause mortality after OLT with a high negative predictive value, suggesting that its measurement appears useful in identifying patients at low risk of post-OLT mortality.

Heart rhythm turbulence and NT-proBNP in decompensated liver cirrhosis--a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Heart rhythm turbulence (HRT) is a novel tool for evaluation of cardiovascular mortality. Liver cirrhosis is associated with hemodynamic and myocardial disturbances termed cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. In the stable stage of liver cirrhosis, systolic and myocardial dysfunction is correlated with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The aim was to evaluate HRT and its correlation with NT-proBNP, echocardiographic and biochemical parameters in patients with decompensation of liver cirrhosis.

MATERIAL/METHODS

The study included 18 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and 18 healthy volunteers. Participants underwent echocardiography and 24-hour ECG monitoring. Serum NT-proBNP and other biochemical parameters were measured. Turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS) were used to indicate HRT.

RESULTS

Mean HR (87/min vs. 75/min), TO (-0.385% vs. -0.92%), NT-proBNP (304.85 pg/ml vs. 83.2 pg/ml), LAd (42.5 mm vs. 34.5 mm), RVdd (29.5 mm vs. 25 mm), SPAP (36.5 mmHg vs. 22.5 mmHg) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in patients with liver cirrhosis. Patients with normal TO and TS had better stage in Child-Pugh classification (P=0.04) than patients with abnormal values. Significant negative correlation was found between creatinine and TO, and between mean HR and TS, and significant positive correlation was found between LAd and TS. LV diastolic dysfunction was noted in a majority of cirrhotic patients (n=16).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with decompensated cirrhosis had elevated levels of NT-proBNP and LV diastolic dysfunction. TO values in cirrhotic patients differed significantly from the control group. These findings can indicate risk of symptomatic heart failure development and may be a marker of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. HRT parameters seem not to be appropriate death predicators.

The heart in liver transplantation

The heart and liver are organs that are closely related in both health and disease. Patients who undergo liver transplantation may suffer from heart disease that is: (a) related to the original cause of the liver disease such as hemochromatosis, (b) related to the liver disease itself, or (c) related to other associated conditions. Furthermore, liver transplantation is one of the most cardiovascular stressful events that a patient with cirrhosis may undergo. After liver transplantation, the progression of pre-existing or the development of new-onset cardiac disease may occur. This article reviews the relationship between the heart and liver transplantation in the pre-transplant, intra-operative, and post-transplant periods.