Evaluation of Cardiac Systolic Function in Cirrhotic Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation

We assessed different systolic cardiac indices to detect left and right ventricular systolic dysfunction in cirrhotic patients before liver transplantation. Between 2010-2011, 81 consecutive individuals with confirmed hepatic cirrhosis who were a candidate for liver transplantation were enrolled in this study. A total of 32 age and sex matched healthy volunteers were also selected as the control group. A detailed two-dimensional, Color Flow Doppler, and Tissue Doppler echocardiography were performed in all patients and control participants. Left atrial diameter and area, right atrial area, left ventricular enddiastolic volume, and basal right ventricular diameter were significantly higher in the cirrhotic group (P<0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction, stroke volume, left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were also higher in the cirrhotic group (P<0.05). Peak systolic velocities of tricuspid annulus, basal segment of RV free wall and basal segment of septal wall, peak strains of basal and mid portions of septal wall, mid portion of lateral wall and peak strain rates of basal and mid portions of septal and lateral walls were higher significantly in cirrhotic group, as well (P<0.05). Isovolumic contraction time, LV systolic time interval and Tei indexes of left and right ventricles which all are representatives of systolic dysfunction were higher in cirrhosis. Peak systolic velocity of a mid-segment of the lateral wall was lower in the cirrhotic group (P<0.05) as well. Most of the cirrhotic patients display signs of cardiovascular disturbances that become more manifest following exposure to stresses such as transplantation. Cardiac failure is an important cause of death following liver transplantation. Because of the load dependency we cannot use most of the cardiac systolic indices for evaluation of systolic function in cirrhotic patients. Thus, we suggest that LV systolic time interval and Tei indices of left and right ventricles might be useful indices in the evaluation of systolic function in cirrhotic patients.