Instrumental and laboratory diagnostics of cardiac dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis of the liver

Abstract

Currently, the diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy has gained significant importance, as cardiac dysfunction contributes substantially to disease progression and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. The prevalence of cardiac involvement in patients with liver cirrhosis was studied using electrocardiography and laboratory data. Three subgroups were formed according to the severity of the disease based on the Child–Pugh classification. As a result of the study, left ventricular hypertrophy was detected in 75% of patients, and intraventricular conduction disturbances were found in 40% of cases; in some patients, anterior fascicular block of the left bundle branch was combined with left ventricular hypertrophy. Arrhythmias were recorded in half of the patients, and atrial fibrillation was detected in one patient. Normal levels of fibrinogen, total cholesterol, and platelets, along with increased blood coagulability, do not exclude the risk of cardiovascular complications in patients with liver cirrhosis.