Study of Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients with Cirrhosis of Liver

Aim: To evaluate the myocardial dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis and its relationship with the aetiology and severity.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Methodology: A study was carried out in the Department of General Medicine in MKCG Medical college, Odisha between 2014-2016. After explaining the nature of study and obtaining proper consent 60 patients in the age group of 21-65 years fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Out of 60 cases of liver cirrhosis 46 were alcoholic and 14 non-alcoholic. A thorough cardiac evaluation was done with recording of ECG and echocardiography findings.

Results: 1) Diastolic dysfunction was found in 19 (32%) cases of cirrhosis of liver out of which 15 were alcoholic and 4 were non alcoholic. 2) Systolic dysfunction was present in 6 (10%) cases and all of them were alcoholic. 3) Prolonged QTc interval was found in 27 (45%) cases of liver cirrhosis. The difference of mean QTc interval between patients of Child Pugh stage A, B, C was statistically significant.(p-value ˂0.05). 4) The difference of E/A ratio and that of decelearion time between alcoholic and non-alcoholic group is not statistically significant. (p value >0.05) 5) the difference of E/A ratio and that of deceleration time between patients of Child pugh A, B and C is not statistically significant. (p value>0.05).

Conclusion: Diastolic dysfunction was present in 32% cases which is not related of severity and etiology of cirrhosis of liver. Systolic dysfunction was present in 10% cases which could be related to etiology of alcohol consumption. Prolongation of QTc interval is related to disease severity. However echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction have no relation to aetiology and severity of disease.