Assessment of cardiovascular physiology using dobutamine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance reveals impaired contractile reserve in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

Cardiac dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis and acute decompensation

The prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) has been reported as high as 60%-70% in patients with liver cirrhosis and is associated with various negative outcomes. There has been a growing understanding of CCM over recent years. Indeed, the development of imaging techniques has enabled new diagnostic criteria to be proposed by the Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium. However, important unanswered questions remain over pathophysiological mechanisms, optimal diagnostic modalities and potential treatment options. While there has been an increasing volume of literature evaluating CCM, there is a lack of clarity on its implications in acute decompensation, acute-on-chronic liver failure and following interventions such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt insertion and liver transplantation. This review aims to summarise the literature in these challenging domains and suggest where future research should focus. We conclude that systemic inflammation and structural myocardial changes are likely to be crucial in the pathophysiology of the disease, but the relative contribution of different components remains elusive. Furthermore, future studies need to use standardised diagnostic criteria for CCM as well as incorporate newer imaging techniques assessing both myocardial structure and function. Finally, while specific treatments are currently lacking, therapeutics targeting systemic inflammation, microbial dysbiosis and bacterial translocation are promising targets and warrant further research.

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.

How non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis affect the heart

Liver diseases affect the heart and the vascular system. Cardiovascular complications appear to be a leading cause of death in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cirrhosis. The predominant histological changes in the liver range from steatosis to fibrosis to cirrhosis, which can each affect the cardiovascular system differently. Patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) and NAFLD are at increased risk of impaired systolic and diastolic dysfunction and for suffering major cardiovascular events. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms behind these risks differ depending on the nature of the liver disease. Accurate assessment of symptoms by contemporary diagnostic modalities is essential for identifying patients at risk, for evaluating candidates for treatment, and prior to any invasive procedures. This review explores current perspectives within this field.

Prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy according to different diagnostic criteria: alterations in ultrasonographic parameters of both left and right ventricles before and after stress

Background

We estimated the frequency of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) using all of the proposed diagnostic criteria, to describe the whole spectrum of cardiac alterations, and to investigate the role of stress in unmasking latent cases of CCM.

Methods

Ninety consecutive patients were recruited. CCM was evaluated using the Montreal, the American Society of Echocardiography 2009 criteria, and the 2019 modified criteria of the CCM consortium. A dobutamine stress test was also performed.

Results

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) was identified in 72 (80%), 36 (40%), and 10 (11.1%) patients based on the above criteria, respectively. None of the patients had right ventricular systolic dysfunction, either at rest or after stress. The dobutamine stress test revealed left systolic dysfunction in 4 (4.5%) patients. There was agreement among the 3 criteria that the presence of LVDD was not associated with the severity of liver disease, using Child-Pugh stage. However, patients with Child-B/C had longer QTc intervals (P=0.004), higher levels of brain natriuretic peptide (P=0.016), and greater echocardiographic E/e' ratio (P<0.001) and E/e'(s) (P=0.003), compared to Child-A patients, while a significant correlation was demonstrated between Child-Pugh score and E/e' (P<0.001), or E/e'(s) (P=0.002).

Conclusions

The prevalence of LVDD seems to be lower than previously considered. Right ventricular function seems to remain unimpaired. A dobutamine stress uncovered only a small percentage of patients with left systolic dysfunction. Nevertheless, the aggravation of several sonographic variables during stress, particularly in Child-B/C patients, potentially indicates a higher risk for clinical heart failure during stressful invasive interventions.

Diagnosis and Management of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy refers to the structural and functional changes in the heart leading to either impaired systolic, diastolic, electrocardiographic, and neurohormonal changes associated with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is present in 50% of patients with cirrhosis and is clinically seen as impaired contractility, diastolic dysfunction, hyperdynamic circulation, and electromechanical desynchrony such as QT prolongation. In this review, we will discuss the cardiac physiology principles underlying cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, imaging techniques such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and scintigraphy, cardiac biomarkers, and newer echocardiographic techniques such as tissue Doppler imaging and speckle tracking, and emerging treatments to improve outcomes.

METHODS

We reviewed available literature from MEDLINE for randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and real-world outcomes using the search terms "cirrhotic cardiomyopathy," "left ventricular diastolic dysfunction," "heart failure in cirrhosis," "liver transplantation," and "coronary artery disease".

RESULTS

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is associated with increased risk of complications such as hepatorenal syndrome, refractory ascites, impaired response to stressors including sepsis, bleeding or transplantation, poor health-related quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. The evaluation of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy should also guide the feasibility of procedures such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, dose titration protocol of betablockers, and liver transplantation. The use of targeted heart rate reduction is of interest to improve cardiac filling and improve the cardiac output using repurposed heart failure drugs such as ivabradine. Liver transplantation may also reverse the cirrhotic cardiomyopathy; however, careful cardiac evaluation is necessary to rule out coronary artery disease and improve cardiac outcomes in the perioperative period.

CONCLUSION

More data are needed on the new diagnostic criteria, molecular and biochemical changes, and repurposed drugs in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. The use of advanced imaging techniques should be incorporated in clinical practice.

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.

Extracellular Vesicles in Viral Replication and Pathogenesis and Their Potential Role in Therapeutic Intervention

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown their potential as a carrier of molecular information, and they have been involved in physiological functions and diseases caused by viral infections. Virus-infected cells secrete various lipid-bound vesicles, including endosome pathway-derived exosomes and microvesicles/microparticles that are released from the plasma membrane. They are released via a direct outward budding and fission of plasma membrane blebs into the extracellular space to either facilitate virus propagation or regulate the immune responses. Moreover, EVs generated by virus-infected cells can incorporate virulence factors including viral protein and viral genetic material, and thus can resemble noninfectious viruses. Interactions of EVs with recipient cells have been shown to activate signaling pathways that may contribute to a sustained cellular response towards viral infections. EVs, by utilizing a complex set of cargos, can play a regulatory role in viral infection, both by facilitating and suppressing the infection. EV-based antiviral and antiretroviral drug delivery approaches provide an opportunity for targeted drug delivery. In this review, we summarize the literature on EVs, their associated involvement in transmission in viral infections, and potential therapeutic implications.

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.

Impaired Cardiac Reserve on Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography Predicts the Development of Hepatorenal Syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Cardiac dysfunction has been implicated in the genesis of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). It is unclear whether a low cardiac output (CO) or attenuated contractile response to hemodynamic stress can predict its occurrence. We studied cardiovascular hemodynamics in cirrhosis and assessed whether a diminished cardiac reserve with stress testing predicted the development of HRS on follow-up.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing liver transplant workup with dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) were included. CO was measured at baseline and during low-dose dobutamine infusion at 10 μg/kg/min. HRS was diagnosed using guideline-based criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 560 patients underwent DSE, of whom 488 were included after preliminary assessment. There were 64 (13.1%) patients with established HRS. The HRS cohort had a higher baseline CO (8.0 ± 2 vs 6.9 ± 2 L/min; P < 0.001) and demonstrated a blunted response to low-dose dobutamine (ΔCO 29 ± 22% vs 44 ± 32%, P < 0.001) driven primarily by inotropic incompetence. Optimal cutpoint for ΔCO in patients with HRS was determined to be <25% and was used to define a low cardiac reserve. Among the 424 patients without HRS initially, 94 (22.1%) developed HRS over a mean follow-up of 1.5 years. Higher proportion with a low cardiac reserve developed HRS (52 [55.0%] vs 56 [16.9%]; hazard ratio 4.5; 95% confidence interval 3.0-6.7; P < 0.001). In a Cox multivariable model, low cardiac reserve remained the strongest predictor for the development of HRS (hazard ratio 3.9; 95% confidence interval 2.2-7.0; P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Patients with HRS demonstrated a higher resting CO and an attenuated cardiac reserve on stress testing. On longitudinal follow-up, low cardiac reserve was an independent predictor for the development of HRS. Assessment of cardiac reserve with DSE may provide a novel noninvasive risk marker for developing HRS in patients with advanced liver disease.HRS is a life-threatening complication of liver disease. We studied whether an inability to increase cardiac contraction in response to stress can assist in the prediction of HRS. We demonstrate that patients with liver disease who exhibit cardiac dysfunction during stress testing had a 4-fold increased risk of developing HRS. This may improve our ability for early diagnosis and treatment of patients at a higher risk of developing HRS.

Redefining Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy for the Modern Era

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is cardiac dysfunction in patients with end-stage liver disease in the absence of prior heart disease. First defined in 2005 during the World Congress of Gastroenterology, CCM criteria consisted of echocardiographic parameters to identify subclinical cardiac dysfunction in the absence of overt structural abnormalities. Significant advancements in cardiovascular imaging over the past 14 years, including the integration of myocardial deformation imaging into routine clinical practice to identify subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction, have rendered the 2005 CCM criteria obsolete. Therefore, new criteria based on contemporary cardiovascular imaging parameters are needed. In this guidance document, assembled by a group of multidisciplinary experts in the field, new core criteria based on contemporary cardiovascular imaging parameters are proposed for the assessment of CCM. This document provides a critical assessment of the diagnosis of CCM and ongoing assessment aimed at improving clinical outcomes, particularly surrounding liver transplantation. Key points and practice-based recommendations for the diagnosis of CCM are provided to offer guidance for clinicians and identify gaps in knowledge for future investigations.

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.

Reduced myocardial reserve in cirrhotic patients: an evaluation by dobutamine stress speckle tracking and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography

Introduction: Despite the normal systolic function at rest, cirrhotic patients often suffer from volume overload and symptoms of heart failure as they face stressful situations. This study investigated the myocardial reserve in cirrhotic patients at resting condition and peak stress by dobutamine speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

Methods: Twenty cirrhotic patients and 10 normal individuals aged 30-50 were selected randomly. For all of the participants, complete echocardiographic study of 2D, STE and TDI was done at rest and peak stress status with dobutamine. The following parameters were assessed: ejection fraction (EF), global longitudinal LV strain (GLS), strain rate in the septal basal segment and lateral wall and E’ in the septal basal segment by color-coded method.

Results: At baseline, EF was higher than 55% in both groups. GLS was higher (-22.6±2.4%) in the case group than the control group (-19.2±1.9%) at resting condition. After stress, it showed a greater increase (-22.5±1.7%) in the controls compared to cirrhotic patients (-22.6±3.3%; mean difference = 2.6 ± 2.03, P = 0.02). In cirrhotic patients, the average strain rate in the basal septal segment decreased after stress (-1.2 ± 0.3/s to-1.1 ± 0.3/s), but it increased in the control group (-1.1 ± 0.2/s to -1.8 ± 0.2/s).

Conclusion: Despite the presence of normal resting systolic function in cirrhotic patients, there was insufficient increase or even a decrease in myocardial function with stress; this may indicate the absence of sufficient myocardial reserve in cirrhotic patients. These findings would help to explain the reason for occurrence of heart failure or hemodynamic changes in cirrhotic patients.

An update on cirrhotic cardiomyopathy

Cirrhosis with portal hypertension and related complications are associated with a high mortality. Excess of circulating vasodilators and cardiodepressive substances lead to a hyperdynamic circulation with changed myocardial structure and function. The entity cirrhotic cardiomyopathy seems to be involved in different aspects of hepatic decompensation, which focuses on new targets of treatment. Areas covered: This review deals with contemporary aspects of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, and the literature search was undertaken by PubMed with 'cirrhotic' and 'cardiomyopathies' as MeSH Terms. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is defined as the presence of systolic and diastolic dysfunction and electrophysiological abnormalities. The diagnosis is based on contemporary Doppler/Echocardiography measurements or quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is independent of the etiology of the liver disease but related to severity and survival. Expert commentary: The outcome of invasive procedures and liver transplantation is influenced by the presence of cardiac dysfunction. Therefore, a cautious cardiac evaluation should be included in the patient evaluation prior to liver transplantation. Liver transplantation ameliorates most of the abnormalities seen in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, but no specific treatment can yet be recommended.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: the liver affects the heart

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy historically has been confused as alcoholic cardiomyopathy. The key points for diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy have been well explained, however this entity was neglected for a long time. Nowadays the diagnosis of this entity has become important because it is a factor that contributes significantly to morbidity-mortality in cirrhotic patients. Characteristics of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy are a hyperdynamic circulatory state, altered diastolic relaxation, impaired contractility, and electrophysiological abnormalities, particularity QT interval prolongation. The pathogenesis includes impaired function of beta-receptors, altered transmembrane currents and overproduction of cardiodepressant factors, such as nitric oxide, cytokines and endogenous cannabinoids. In addition to physical signs of hyperdynamic state and heart failure under stress conditions, the diagnosis can be done with dosage of serum markers, electrocardiography, echocardiography and magnetic resonance. The treatment is mainly supportive, but orthotopic liver transplantation appears to improve this condition although the prognosis of liver transplantation in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is uncertain.

Heart Failure and Liver Disease: Cardiohepatic Interactions

Heart failure (HF) and liver disease often co-exist. This is because systemic disorders and diseases affect both organs (alcohol abuse, drugs, inflammation, autoimmunity, infections) and because of complex cardiohepatic interactions. The latter, which are the focus of this review, include the development of acute cardiogenic liver injury and congestive hepatopathy in HF as well as cardiac dysfunction and failure in the setting of liver cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and sequelae following liver transplantation. The emerging role of altered liver X receptor signaling in the pathogenesis of HF comorbidities as well as of the intestinal microbiome and its metabolites in HF and liver disease are fruitful areas for future research.

Myocardial extracellular volume quantified by magnetic resonance is increased in cirrhosis and related to poor outcome

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The underlying pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy remains unclear. Structural myocardial changes including diffuse fibrosis may be involved and can be accurately assessed by cardiac MRI (CMR) with quantification of the extracellular volume (ECV).This is the first application of this technique in patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to investigate the presence of diffuse myocardial fibrosis and to determine the relation to disease severity, cardiac function and outcome.

METHODS

A prospective study including 52 cirrhotic patients and 10 healthy controls. All patients underwent CMR with ECV quantification, tissue Doppler echocardiography, and biochemical assessments. Patients were followed up for a median of 25 months with registration of death and liver transplantation (LT).

RESULTS

Myocardial ECV was higher in the patients compared with healthy controls (31.2 ± 6 vs 27.4 ± 3%, P = .04). Furthermore, ECV increased across the Child Pugh A/B/C classes (26.9 ± 4/31.5 ± 5/34.4 ± 6%, P = .02). Four-teen patients experienced the composite end-point of death/LT during follow-up and these patients had higher ECV (33.2 ± 4 vs 30.4 ± 6%, P = .04). In a univariate Cox regression analysis ECV was associated with poor transplant-free survival (HR 3.6 [1.1-11.6]; P = .03). However, MELD and CRP remained the strongest predictors in a multivariate analysis. ECV correlated with cardiac index (r = 0.44, P = .001), CRP (r = 0.46, P = .001), proANP (r = 0.50, P < .001), and proBNP (r = 0.40, P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS

Myocardial ECV is increased in patients with cirrhosis and seems related to disease severity and transplant-free survival. These changes most likely reflect subclinical diffuse myocardial fibrosis and may represent a structural element of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

Review of Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (JCMR) 2015-2016 and transition of the JCMR office to Boston

The Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (JCMR) is the official publication of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR). In 2016, the JCMR published 93 manuscripts, including 80 research papers, 6 reviews, 5 technical notes, 1 protocol, and 1 case report. The number of manuscripts published was similar to 2015 though with a 12% increase in manuscript submissions to an all-time high of 369. This reflects a decrease in the overall acceptance rate to <25% (excluding solicited reviews). The quality of submissions to JCMR continues to be high. The 2016 JCMR Impact Factor (which is published in June 2016 by Thomson Reuters) was steady at 5.601 (vs. 5.71 for 2015; as published in June 2016), which is the second highest impact factor ever recorded for JCMR. The 2016 impact factor means that the JCMR papers that were published in 2014 and 2015 were on-average cited 5.71 times in 2016.In accordance with Open-Access publishing of Biomed Central, the JCMR articles are published on-line in the order that they are accepted with no collating of the articles into sections or special thematic issues. For this reason, over the years, the Editors have felt that it is useful to annually summarize the publications into broad areas of interest or themes, so that readers can view areas of interest in a single article in relation to each other and other recent JCMR articles. The papers are presented in broad themes with previously published JCMR papers to guide continuity of thought in the journal. In addition, I have elected to open this publication with information for the readership regarding the transition of the JCMR editorial office to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston and the editorial process.Though there is an author publication charge (APC) associated with open-access to cover the publisher's expenses, this format provides a much wider distribution/availability of the author's work and greater manuscript citation. For SCMR members, there is a substantial discount in the APC. I hope that you will continue to send your high quality manuscripts to JCMR for consideration. Importantly, I also ask that you consider referencing recent JCMR publications in your submissions to the JCMR and elsewhere as these contribute to our impact factor. I also thank our dedicated Associate Editors, Guest Editors, and reviewers for their many efforts to ensure that the review process occurs in a timely and responsible manner and that the JCMR continues to be recognized as the leading publication in our field.

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.

Left ventricular systolic function is associated with sympathetic nervous activity and markers of inflammation in cirrhosis

An accurate evaluation of cardiac function in patients with cirrhosis remains a challenge. We used robust echocardiographic indices to characterize left ventricular (LV) systolic function and its relationship to activation of the sympathetic nervous system and inflammation in 59 patients with cirrhosis and 59 age-matched controls. Additionally, in 11 patients we withdrew beta-blockers and diuretics and used phenylephrine and albumin infusion to evaluate the response to acute afterload and preload changes (interventional substudy). Measures of systolic LV function such as the ejection intraventricular pressure difference (EIVPD) and the systolic strain rate were higher in patients with cirrhosis than in controls (median [1st-3rd quartile], 4.0 [3.1-5.1] versus 2.9 [2.4-3.6] mm Hg and -1.3 [-1.6 to -1.1] versus -1.2 [-1.6 to -1.1)] s^-1 , respectively; P < 0.05 for both). EIVPD was related to the severity of liver disease (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, rho = 0.45, P < 0.001), the degree of sympathetic nervous system activation (noradrenaline, rho = 0.26, P = 0.05; heart rate variability, rho = -0.43, P = 0.003), and treatment with beta-blockers (P = 0.001). In the interventional substudy, EIVPD was higher in patients with ascites (6.5 [5.4-8.5] versus 4.0 [3.9-5.1] mm Hg, P = 0.045). The decrease in EIVPD induced by phenylephrine was inversely related to baseline systolic function (P < 0.05) and associated with markers of systemic vasodilatation (nitric oxide, rho = -0.66, P = 0.06; diastolic blood pressure, rho = 0.68, P = 0.04) and inflammation (interleukin-1beta, rho = -0.80, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

LV systolic function is enhanced in cirrhosis due to augmented adrenergic tone and modulated by treatment with beta-blockers; acute afterload stress induces a deeper impairment of systolic function in patients with more advanced degrees of vasodilatation and inflammation; these changes in LV function related to cirrhosis can be assessed using robust echocardiographic methods. (Hepatology 2017;65:2019-2030).

Review of Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2015

There were 116 articles published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (JCMR) in 2015, which is a 14 % increase on the 102 articles published in 2014. The quality of the submissions continues to increase. The 2015 JCMR Impact Factor (which is published in June 2016) rose to 5.75 from 4.72 for 2014 (as published in June 2015), which is the highest impact factor ever recorded for JCMR. The 2015 impact factor means that the JCMR papers that were published in 2013 and 2014 were cited on average 5.75 times in 2015. The impact factor undergoes natural variation according to citation rates of papers in the 2 years following publication, and is significantly influenced by highly cited papers such as official reports. However, the progress of the journal's impact over the last 5 years has been impressive. Our acceptance rate is <25 % and has been falling because the number of articles being submitted has been increasing. In accordance with Open-Access publishing, the JCMR articles go on-line as they are accepted with no collating of the articles into sections or special thematic issues. For this reason, the Editors have felt that it is useful once per calendar year to summarize the papers for the readership into broad areas of interest or theme, so that areas of interest can be reviewed in a single article in relation to each other and other recent JCMR articles. The papers are presented in broad themes and set in context with related literature and previously published JCMR papers to guide continuity of thought in the journal. We hope that you find the open-access system increases wider reading and citation of your papers, and that you will continue to send your quality papers to JCMR for publication.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: Basic and clinical research

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis. Recent research found that a blunted inotropic and chronotropic response to stress, systolic and diastolic dysfunctions and prolongation of the QT interval are major reasons for the development of cardiovascular events under stress conditions in CCM patients. Myocardial apoptosis, abnormalities of adrenergic transduction pathways, gaseous signal molecule imbalance and derangement of various ion channels are involved in the development of CCM. The combination of measurement of BNP, H₂S, electrocardiogram and echocardiography (resting and stress) is' helpful in the diagnosis of CCM. Liver transplantation is the only proven treatment with specific effect on CCM. Monitoring of cardiac function and timely treatment in case of severe trauma and infection are effective measures for preventing cardiovascular events. Only aldosterone antagonists have certain effects on CCM. The clinical efficacy of TCM therapy needs to be verified in future studies. New agents, targeting its pathogenic mechanisms, such as supplementing exogenous hydrogen sulfide, may play a role in patients who cannot undergo liver transplantation.

Left ventricular function assessment in cirrhosis: Current methods and future directions

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy has been defined as a chronic cardiac dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis characterized by impaired contractile responsiveness to stress and/or altered diastolic relaxation with electrophysiological abnormalities in the absence of other known cardiac disease. Non-invasive cardiovascular imaging modalities play a major role in unmasking systolic and diastolic dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis. Echocardiography has been the most commonly used modality for assessing myocardial function in these patients. Conventional echocardiographic indices rely on several assumptions that may limit their applicability in patients with a hyperdynamic circulation. Newer imaging modalities may contribute to a more accurate diagnosis of cardiovascular abnormalities in cirrhotic patients, thereby influencing clinical management. We aimed to review the different non-invasive imaging technologies currently used for assessing left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in cirrhosis, as well as to describe new imaging modalities with potential clinical applicability in the near future.