Usefulness of Liver Stiffness on Ultrasound Shear-Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Central Venous Pressure in Children With Heart Diseases

The Liver in Heart Failure: From Biomarkers to Clinical Risk

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome due to heart dysfunction, but in which other organs are also involved, resulting in a complex multisystemic disease, burdened with high mortality and morbidity. This article focuses on the mutual relationship between the heart and liver in HF patients. Any cause of right heart failure can cause hepatic congestion, with important prognostic significance. We have analyzed the pathophysiology underlying this double interaction. Moreover, we have explored several biomarkers and non-invasive tests (i.e., liver stiffness measurement, LSM) potentially able to provide important support in the management of this complex disease. Cardiac biomarkers have been studied extensively in cardiology as a non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring tool for HF. However, their usefulness in assessing liver congestion in HF patients is still being researched. On the other hand, several prognostic scores based on liver biomarkers in patients with HF have been proposed in recent years, recognizing the important burden that liver involvement has in HF. We also discuss the usefulness of a liver stiffness measurement (LSM), which has been recently proposed as a reliable and non-invasive method for assessing liver congestion in HF patients, with therapeutic and prognostic intentions. Lastly, the relationship between LSM and biomarkers of liver congestion is not clearly defined; more research is necessary to establish the clinical value of biomarkers in assessing liver congestion in HF patients and their relationship with LSM.

Emerging Applications of Extracardiac Ultrasound in Critically Ill Cardiac Patients

Point-of-care ultrasound has evolved as an invaluable diagnostic modality and procedural guidance tool in the care of critically ill cardiac patients. Beyond focused cardiac ultrasound, additional extracardiac ultrasound modalities may provide important information at the bedside. In addition to new uses of existing modalities, such as pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound, the development of new applications is fostered by the implementation of additional features in mid-range ultrasound machines commonly acquired for intensive care units, such as tissue elastography, speckle tracking, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound quantification software. This review explores several areas in which ultrasound imaging technology may transform care in the future. First, we review how lung ultrasound in mechanically ventilated patients can enable the personalization of ventilator parameters and help to liberate them from mechanical ventilation. Second, we review the role of venous Doppler in the assessment of organ congestion and how tissue elastography may complement this application. Finally, we explore how contrast-enhanced ultrasound could be used to assess changes in organ perfusion.

The relationship between echocardiographic parameters and albumin bilirubin (ALBI) score in patients with isolated secundum type atrial septal defect

BACKGROUND

It has been shown that the increase in volume and pressure in the right heart chambers increases liver stiffness. The Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score is a useful and easy-to-use score for objectively assessing liver function. There is no information in the literature about changes in ALBI score in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). The aim of our study is to investigate the changes in ALBI score and its clinical impact in patients with ASD.

METHODS

Of the 206 analyzed patients, 77 were excluded. The remaining 129 patients with secundum type ASD with left to right shunt were divided into three groups; Group I (16 patients with Qp/Qs < 1.5 and defect diameter < 10 mm), Group II (52 patients with Qp/Qs > 1.5 and defect diameter 10-20 mm) and Group III (61 patients with Qp/Qs > 1.5 and defect diameter > 20 mm). The ALBI score was calculated based on serum albumin and total bilirubin levels using the following formula: ALBI = (log10 bilirubin [umol/L] * .66) + (albumin [g/L] * -.085).

RESULTS

ALBI scores as well as total bilirubin levels, transaminases, and functional-structural heart abnormalities (increase in RA and RV dimensions, sPAP, ASD size and decrease in LVEF and TAPSE) showed a significant increasing trend from Group I to Group III (p < .001 for all comparisons). The mean ALBI scores for Group I, Group II, and Group III were -3.71 ± .37, -3.51 ± .25, and -3.27 ± .34, respectively. In multivariate linear regression analysis, ASD size, sPAP, RV-RA diameter were found to be significantly associated with increased ALBI score.

CONCLUSION

The ALBI score offers a simple, evidence-based, objective, and discriminatory method of assessing liver function in patients with ASD. ASD size, sPAP, RV and RA diameters were significantly associated with ALBI score.

Liver stiffness value obtained by point shear-wave elastography is significantly related with atrial septal defect size

PURPOSE The increase in volume and pressure in the right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) has been shown to increase the liver stiffness (LS). In the literature, there is no information about the changes in LS value in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). The aim of our study was to investigate the change of LS values obtained by point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) in patients with ASD and the clinical utility of pSWE for this disease. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 66 patients with ostium secundum ASD: 21 patients with no indication for ASD closure (Group I), 38 patients who underwent ASD closure (Group II), and 7 patients who had ASD with Eisenmenger syndrome (Group III). All patients underwent echocardiography and pSWE. Increased LS was accepted as ≥7 kPa. RESULTS LS values as well as transaminases, clinical signs of heart failure and functional and structural heart abnormalities (increase of RA and RV diastolic dimensions, tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient [TRPG], ASD size and decrease of ejection fraction, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) significantly increased from Group I to Group III (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Mean LS values for Group I, Group II, and Group III were 5.16±1.55 kPa, 7.48±1.99 kPa, and 13.9±2.58 kPa, respectively. In multivariate linear regression analysis, ASD size and TRPG were significantly associated with LS increase. Only ASD size independently predicted abnormal LS increase ≥7 kPa according to multivariate logistic regression. Clinical value of LS increase was comparable to TRPG for detection of Eisenmenger syndrome; in the receiver operating curve analysis, area under the curve was 0.995 for LS (P < 0.001) and 0.990 for TRPG (P < 0.001). At 10 kPa threshold, LS determined the Eisenmenger syndrome with 100% sensitivity and 91.5% specificity. CONCLUSION LS value assessed by pSWE was significantly increased in ASD patients with closure indication and Eisenmenger syndrome compared to patients without ASD closure indication and was comparable with TRPG in regards to Eisenmenger syndrome identification. ASD size significantly associated with LS and independently predicted abnormal LS increase ≥7 kPa.

Quantification of Hepatic and Splenic Stiffness After Fontan Procedure in Children and Clinical Implications

We aimed to investigate Fontan associated liver disease in children by shear wave elastography (SWE). This is a single-center, prospective case-control study included 41 patients with Fontan physiology and 30 healthy controls. Hepatic and splenic shear wave elasticity values were exhibited both as kPa and m/s. The mean hepatic SWE values of Fontan patients (n = 41; 15.8 ± 3.2 kPa or 2.5 ± 1.8 m/s) were significantly higher than the control group (n = 30; 5.59 ± 0.6 kPa or 1.37 ± 0.07 m/s) (P < 0.001). The mean splenic SWE values of Fontan patients were (25.6 ± 4.61 kPa or 2.85 ± 0.22 m/s) significantly higher than the control group (15.9 ± 1.44 kPa or 2.29 ± 0.1 m/s) (P < 0.001). There were statistically significant positive correlations among the follow-up duration after the Fontan procedure with NT-proBNP (P = 0.008, r = 1) and prothrombin time (P = 0.009, r = 0.4) as well as the hepatic SWE values with alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.039, r = 0.32), gamma-glutamyl transferase (P = 0.045, r = 0.31), and PT (P = 0.011, r = 0.39). There has been statistically significant moderate positive correlations of splenic stiffness values with PT (P = 0.047, r = 0.34), and INR (P = 0.038, r = 0.35). The sensitivity and specificity of liver stiffness cutoff value as 11.1 kPa for detection of Fontan associated liver disease were 95% and 100%, respectively. The hepatic and splenic stiffness increase independently in Fontan patients due to parenchymal disease. Hepatic SWE is a reliable and noninvasive predictor of early hepatic alterations that could not be detected only by biochemical results or routine ultrasound examinations.

Portosystemic venous shunt in the patients with Fontan circulation

Portosystemic venous shunt (PSVS) is a vascular anomaly between the portal and systemic veins, resulting in several critical complications. Although PSVS is often associated with congenital heart diseases, the clinical association between Fontan circulation and PSVS has not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of Fontan patients with PSVS. Two hundred thirteen patients who underwent Fontan procedure are being followed up at Adult Congenital Heart Disease clinic in Kyushu University Hospital. Among them, 139 adult patients underwent cardiac catheterization between January 1, 2011 and September 30, 2019. Medical records were reviewed to investigate the laboratory, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization findings, as well as clinical manifestations and outcomes. Eleven Fontan patients received the diagnosis of PSVS. The median age at cardiac catheterization was 25 (range 18-45) years. Fontan operation was performed using extracardiac conduit or lateral tunnel 22 (16-35) years previously. Ten patients presented with chronic heart failure [New York Heart Association class 2 (n = 5) and 3 (n = 5)]. The median level of peripheral oxygen saturation was 87 (70-95)%. Cardiac catheterization showed increased cardiac index [5.3 (2.72-14.3) L/min/m²] with or without high central venous pressure [18 (9-25) mmHg]. Although the pulmonary vascular resistance was within the normal range, the systemic vascular resistance was decreased [7.08 (1.74-18.6) Wood units]. Fontan patients complicated with PSVS had increased cardiac output. The presence of PSVS in Fontan circulation might be associated with unfavorable long-term outcome.

Ultrasound liver elastography beyond liver fibrosis assessment

Several guidelines have indicated that liver stiffness (LS) assessed by means of shear wave elastography (SWE) can safely replace liver biopsy in several clinical scenarios, particularly in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. However, an increase of LS may be due to some other clinical conditions not related to fibrosis, such as liver inflammation, acute hepatitis, obstructive cholestasis, liver congestion, infiltrative liver diseases. This review analyzes the role that SWE can play in cases of liver congestion due to right-sided heart failure, congenital heart diseases or valvular diseases. In patients with heart failure LS seems directly influenced by central venous pressure and can be used as a prognostic marker to predict cardiac events. The potential role of LS in evaluating liver disease beyond the stage of liver fibrosis has been investigated also in the hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) and in the Budd-Chiari syndrome. In the hepatic SOS, an increase of LS is observed some days before the clinical manifestations; therefore, it could allow an early diagnosis to timely start an effective treatment. Moreover, it has been reported that patients that were successfully treated showed a LS decrease, that reached pre-transplantation value within two to four weeks. It has been reported that, in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome, LS values can be used to monitor short and long-term outcome after angioplasty.