In:
Liver International, Wiley, Vol. 38, No. 9 ( 2018-09), p. 1614-1623
Abstract:
The underlying pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy remains unclear. Structural myocardial changes including diffuse fibrosis may be involved and can be accurately assessed by cardiac MRI ( CMR ) with quantification of the extracellular volume ( ECV ).This is the first application of this technique in patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to investigate the presence of diffuse myocardial fibrosis and to determine the relation to disease severity, cardiac function and outcome. Methods A prospective study including 52 cirrhotic patients and 10 healthy controls. All patients underwent CMR with ECV quantification, tissue Doppler echocardiography, and biochemical assessments. Patients were followed up for a median of 25 months with registration of death and liver transplantation ( LT ). Results Myocardial ECV was higher in the patients compared with healthy controls (31.2 ± 6 vs 27.4 ± 3%, P = .04). Furthermore, ECV increased across the Child Pugh A/B/C classes (26.9 ± 4/31.5 ± 5/34.4 ± 6%, P = .02). Four‐teen patients experienced the composite end‐point of death/ LT during follow‐up and these patients had higher ECV (33.2 ± 4 vs 30.4 ± 6%, P = .04). In a univariate Cox regression analysis ECV was associated with poor transplant‐free survival ( HR 3.6 [1.1‐11.6]; P = .03). However, MELD and CRP remained the strongest predictors in a multivariate analysis. ECV correlated with cardiac index ( r = 0.44, P = .001), CRP ( r = 0.46, P = .001), pro ANP ( r = 0.50, P 〈 .001), and pro BNP (r = 0.40, P = .005). Conclusions Myocardial ECV is increased in patients with cirrhosis and seems related to disease severity and transplant‐free survival. These changes most likely reflect subclinical diffuse myocardial fibrosis and may represent a structural element of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1478-3223
,
1478-3231
DOI:
10.1111/liv.2018.38.issue-9
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2018
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2124684-1
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