Cardiac Changes in Cirrhotic Patients

Background and study aim: Cardiac dysfunction in cirrhotic patients presented by imperfect cardiac contractility in response to stress and/or change in the diastolic relaxation of the heart with electrophysiological changes in lack of other recognized cardiac disease. The study aimed to assess the cardiac changes in cirrhotic patients. Patients and Methods: our study was conducted on 100 adult cirrhotic patients who were divided according to the Child Pugh score into 3 groups: G1: comprised 30 Child A patients. G2: comprised 30 Child B patients. G3: comprised 40 Child C patients. Full history, clinical examination, laboratory (CBC, liver and kidney function tests, viral markers and FBS), ECG and cardiac echo-doppler were done for all patients. Results: Out of 100 cirrhotic patients, QTC interval was found to be prolonged in 70 cirrhotic patients. Echo-cardiographic abnormalities were found in Child B and C group patients more than in Child A patients. There was significant increase in Echo parameters as (IVRT and PAP) with liver disease deterioration from Child A to Child C. There was no significant difference regarding left and right ventricular end diastolic diameter among the studied groups. Conclusion: 70% of cirrhotic patients had cardiac changes and there is positive correlation between severity of liver cirrhosis and cardiac changes.