Study of cardiac dysfunctions in chronic liver disease patients

Abstract

Background: Cardiac dysfunctions are a major cause of mortality in chronic liver disease patients, especially those who undergo surgical procedures like TIPS, LT. Aims and Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of cardiac dysfunctions in chronic liver disease patients. Methodology: The present study was conducted as an observational study at Hamidia Hospital Bhopal. The study included a total of 75 patients diagnosed as a case of chronic liver disease who were then interviewed and their demographic information and symptoms and presentation was obtained. All the patients were then subjected to detailed physical examination, cardiological assessment using ECG and 2D ECHO and blood investigations. Results: The Mean age of patients without Cardiac dysfunction was 40.3 years, whereas the Mean age of patients with Cardiac dysfunction was 46.25 years. Cardiac dysfunctions in CLD patients most commonly occurred in age group of 51-60 years and 96% cases were males and only 4% cases were females. QTc prolongation was found in 28% of patients. The prevalence of Diastolic Dysfunctions was 24% and the prevalence of Systolic Dysfunctions in CLD patients was 20 %. Conclusion: Subclinical cardiac dysfunctions are present in a significantly large number of patients with Chronic liver disease. These dysfunctions are associated with more cardiovascular complications especially when these patients are subjected to surgical procedures such as TIPS, liver transplantation. Hence there is a need for a comprehensive cardiac assessment and standardized diagnostic protocol for patients of liver cirrhosis, especially undergoing procedures such as TIPS, liver transplantation.