Ki Tae Yoon1,2, Hongqun Liu1, Samuel S Lee3. 1. Liver Unit, University Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada. 2. Liver Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20 Geumo-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, South Korea. 3. Liver Unit, University Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada. samlee@ucalgary.ca.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a syndrome of depressed cardiac function in patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to review the historical background, pathophysiology and pathogenesis, diagnostic definitions, clinical relevance, and management of this syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: An inflammatory phenotype underlies the pathogenesis: gut bacterial translocation with endotoxemia stimulates cytokines and cardiodepressant factors, such as nitric oxide and endocannabinoids. Cardiomyocyte plasma membrane biochemical and biophysical changes also play a pathogenic role. These factors lead to impaired beta-adrenergic function. Proposed new echocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy include systolic global longitudinal strain and indices of diastolic dysfunction. Cardiac dysfunction participates in the pathogenesis of hepatorenal syndrome and increased morbidity/mortality of cirrhotic patients to hemorrhage, infection, and surgery, including liver transplantation. There is no specific treatment, although β-adrenergic blockade and supportive management have been proposed, but it needs further study. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a clinically relevant syndrome afflicting patients with established cirrhosis. Optimum management remains unclear, and further study is needed in this area.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a syndrome of depressed cardiac function in patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to review the historical background, pathophysiology and pathogenesis, diagnostic definitions, clinical relevance, and management of this syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: An inflammatory phenotype underlies the pathogenesis: gut bacterial translocation with endotoxemia stimulates cytokines and cardiodepressant factors, such as nitric oxide and endocannabinoids. Cardiomyocyte plasma membrane biochemical and biophysical changes also play a pathogenic role. These factors lead to impaired beta-adrenergic function. Proposed new echocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy include systolic global longitudinal strain and indices of diastolic dysfunction. Cardiac dysfunction participates in the pathogenesis of hepatorenal syndrome and increased morbidity/mortality of cirrhotic patients to hemorrhage, infection, and surgery, including liver transplantation. There is no specific treatment, although β-adrenergic blockade and supportive management have been proposed, but it needs further study. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a clinically relevant syndrome afflicting patients with established cirrhosis. Optimum management remains unclear, and further study is needed in this area.
Authors: Sanjana Nagraj; Spyros Peppas; Maria Gabriela Rubianes Guerrero; Damianos G Kokkinidis; Felipe I Contreras-Yametti; Sandhya Murthy; Ulrich P Jorde Journal: World J Transplant Date: 2022-07-18