CLINICAL STUDY OF STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL CARDIAC ABNORMALITIES IN CIRRHOSIS OF LIVER

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis of liver is a hyperdynamic condition in which there may be subtle cardiac dysfunction . objective of this study was to ascertain the structural and functional cardiac abnormalities that may be present with cirrhosis of liver . AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Ÿ To evaluate the clinical aspects of cirrhosis pertaining to cardiac abnormalities. Ÿ To ascertain the relation between cirrhosis of liver and its effect on cardiac function and structure. METHODOLGY: Ÿ 50 patients with cirrhosis of liver detected and proven by ultrasound abdomen were subjected to clinical examination and 2D echo to screen cardiac abnormalities . E/A ratio and LV mass were calculated to check for functional and structural abnormalities respectively. RESULTS: Male to female ratio 31:19, mean age 55.64±10.02 , common clinical features – Fatigue (90%) , abdominal distension (74%) , abdominal pain (74%) , icterus (76%). Mean E/A ratio 0.89±0.16 and mean LV mass 169.30±26.04 , with EF 64.53±0.97 . All patients CONCLUSION: with cirrhosis of liver must be screened for latent structural (LV mass) and functional (E/A ratio) cardiac abnormalities. Serum bilirubin >4.0 mg/dl , INR >2.0 , Serum creatinine >2.0 , associated with higher risk of cardiac abnormalities. Older age groups have a higher incidence of cardiac abnormalities