CIRRHOTIC CARDIOMYOPATHY IN EGYPTIAN PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Liver  cirrhosis is   a health care problem in  Egypt  caused  by the high prevalence of  hepatitis C virus (HCV)  infection that affects 15-20 % of the population  . Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is the term used to describe a constellation of features indicative of abnormal heart structure and function in patients with cirrhosis. Aim of this study is to assess the pattern and the extent of cardiac affection in cirrhotic patients and its relation to the presence or absence of ascites. Materials  and methods: This study was carried out on 70 patients with liver cirrhosis and 30 healthy controls. All persons were subjected to careful history & physical examination, laboratory investigations, abdominal ultrasonography ,and echocardiography. Results:   left ventricle end diastolic diameter was significantly  increased in cirrhotic patients with  ascites (5.40±0.58)  and without ascites ((5.31±0.51), compared to the control group (4.52±0.58) (p<0.05), . left ventricle end systolic diameter was      increased in cirrhotic patients with  ascites (3.57±2.2)  and without ascites (3.46±3.1), without ascites (3.18±2.5)but the difference was statistically non significant    (p > 0.05).   Left atrium diameter & Right ventricular end diastolic diameter were significantly increased in cirrhotic patients compared to the control group (p<0.05  The  pulmonary artery pressure  was elevated in cirrhotic patients compared to the control group .. Conclusion:  In the present study ptient with Liver cirrhosis were  associated with significant enlargement of cardiac chambers and diastolic dysfunction compared to the control group specially   in  the presence of ascites.