Purpose: Cardiac event is the main cause of mortality during liver transplantation and patients with cirrhosis are associated with myocardial dysfunction. However, limited data is available regarding the characteristics of cardiac function between LTx candidates with alcoholic and hepatits related cirrhosis. The aim of the study was to compare the cardiac function between patients with alcoholic and hepatitis related cirrhosis who were candidates for LTx. Methods: A total of 88 patients with cirrhosis referred for LTx and 88 age and gender- matched controls were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. Clinical parameters, conventional echocardiographic and tissue Doppler-derived parameters of the left ventricle (LV) were obtained in all subjects. Liver status of cirrhotic patients was evaluated by the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores. Results: Despite a similar LV dimension and LV ejection fraction, patients with cirrhosis had a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction (54% vs. 37%, p=0.01) and LV filling pressure as estimated by E/E' ratio (10.9±3.9 vs. 7.4±1.9, p<0.01) compared with controls. Age, gender and MELD were similar between patients with alcoholic and hepatitis related cirrhosis. The prevalence of diastolic dysfunction was also similar (54% vs 52%, p=1.0). However, patients with alcoholic related cirrhosis had lower LV ejection fraction (n=20; 51±14% vs. n=68; 62±8%) and larger LV end-systolic dimension (51±22ml vs. 31±12ml) and LV mass index (104±20g/m2 vs. 87±22g/m2) compared with patients with hepatitis related cirrhosis (all p<0.01). Conclusion: LTx candidates are associated with diastolic dysfunction and a higher LV filling pressure compared with controls. Importantly, patients with alcoholic related cirrhosis had a lower LV systolic function and a larger LV dimension compared with patients with hepatitis related cirrhosis. These important difference in cardiac dysfunction in patients with alcoholic related cirrhosis suggested the need for intensive preoperative risk stratification and monitoring during LTx.