Study of cardiac involvement in liver cirrhosis patients

Abstract

Background: Cirrhosis liver is characterized by diffuse destruction and regeneration of hepatic parenchymal cells. Various studies have been carried out over the years to evaluate the cardiac and hemodynamic changes in cirrhosis of the liver.Methods: Study is conducted on 50 consecutive patients with cirrhosis liver admitted in various medical wards of the Mc Gann Hospital attached to Shimoga institute of medical sciences, Shimoga from January, 2020 to September 2020. Detailed history was taken and a through physical examination was done. Blood investigations are done. Echocardiography, Chest radiography done. All patients were subjected to USG abdomen to confirm the diagnosis of cirrhosis.Results: There were 35 males and 15 females. Average age is 54±6.6 years. Alcoholism (64%) and idiopathic (16%) are commonest associations. Commonest symptom is anaemia (88%) followed by pedal oedema (80%) followed by fatigue (66%), ascites (60%) and jaundice (60%). Pleural effusion seen in 38%, diastolic dysfunction 32%, pericardial effusion 16%, wall motion abnormality in 11%. Hypertension, arrhythmias and LVF is seen in 8%. Cardiomyopathy in 6%. ECG changes are Hemiblock in 4 (8%), QTc prolongation in 34%. LVH in 12%, Low voltage complex are seen in 24%. cardiomegaly seen in 20%.Conclusions: Study shows that, there was significant incidence of subclinical cardiac abnormalities observed in chronic liver disease patients which increase with duration of illness. Early detection of subclinical cardiac changes is important to reduce morbidity and mortality in chronic liver disease patients.