Diagnosis and Pathogenetic Mechanisms in Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Based on Point-of-care Echocardiography, Biomarkers and Histology
Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is associated with increased risk of complications like hepatorenal syndrome, refractory ascites, impaired response to stressors including sepsis, bleeding or transplantation, poor health related quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is associated with risk of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) , septic shock. , heart failure in the perioperative period following liver transplantation, and after trans-jugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion . The echocardiographic E/e' ratio is a predictor of survival in LVDD, with multiple studies, including prospective data from our Centre.
• Patients with cirrhosis who have been diagnosed by clinical, biochemical, histological (when available) criteria plus ultrasound imaging will be included if they meet the following:
‣ Age range of 18-65 years
⁃ Cirrhosis with critical illness admitted to the Liver Intensive Care Unit