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Dimitroglou Y, Aggeli C, Alexopoulou A, Tsartsalis D, Patsourakos D, Koukos M, Tousoulis D, Tsioufis K. The Contemporary Role of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:179. [PMID: 38398688 PMCID: PMC10890501 DOI: 10.3390/life14020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) is characterized by elevated cardiac output at rest, an inability to further increase contractility under stress, and diastolic dysfunction. The diagnosis of CCM is crucial as it can lead to complications during liver transplantation. However, its recognition poses challenges with conventional echocardiography techniques. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), particularly global longitudinal strain (GLS), is a novel index that enhances the diagnostic efficacy of echocardiography for both ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. GLS proves more sensitive in identifying early systolic dysfunction and is also influenced by advanced diastolic dysfunction. Consequently, there is an expanding scope for GLS utilization in cirrhotic cases, with newly updated diagnostic criteria for CCM incorporating GLS. Specifically, systolic dysfunction is now defined as either a left ventricular ejection fraction below 50% or an absolute GLS below 18%. However, conflicting data on GLS alterations in liver cirrhosis patients persist, as many individuals with advanced disease and a poor prognosis exhibit a hyperdynamic state with preserved or increased GLS. Consequently, the presence of CCM, according to the updated criteria, does not exhibit a significant association-in the majority of studies-with the severity of liver disease and prognosis. Furthermore, information on other indices measured with STE, such as left atrial and right ventricular strain, is promising but currently limited. This review aims to offer a critical assessment of the existing evidence concerning the application of STE in patients with liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannis Dimitroglou
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (C.A.); (D.T.); (D.P.); (M.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Constantina Aggeli
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (C.A.); (D.T.); (D.P.); (M.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Alexandra Alexopoulou
- Second Department of Medicine & Research Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Tsartsalis
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (C.A.); (D.T.); (D.P.); (M.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Dimitrios Patsourakos
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (C.A.); (D.T.); (D.P.); (M.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Markos Koukos
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (C.A.); (D.T.); (D.P.); (M.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Dimitris Tousoulis
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (C.A.); (D.T.); (D.P.); (M.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Konstantinos Tsioufis
- First Department of Cardiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece; (C.A.); (D.T.); (D.P.); (M.K.); (K.T.)
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