title: Correlation of the functional liver mass with left ventricular ejection fraction and left atrial diameter in patients with congestive heart failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abnormalities in liver function tests have impact on prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of the present study was to assess the functional liver mass in patient with systolic CHF with (13)C-methacetin breath test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Liver function was assessed with (13)C-methacetin breath test in twenty patients, 15 men and 5 women, with systolic CHF, LVEF </=45%, NYHA II-IV, and ten age and sex matched controls. The cumulative dose of exhaled (13)CO(2) was measured with an infra-red analyzer. On the day of the breath test, routine liver function tests were determined and the echocardiographic studies were realized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Functional liver mass was significantly decreased in patients at NYHA IV, compared to subjects with NYHA II, III and controls. Study revealed weak correlation of cumulative dose of (13)CO(2) with LV EF (r=0.47) and significant inverse correlation with left atrial diameter (r=-0.80, p<0.0001) among other variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The metabolic liver function is significantly impaired in patients with advanced CHF. The functional liver mass in patients with systolic CHF does not correlate with LVEF, but significantly correlates with left atrial diameter.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Málek
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hendrichová
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Krátká
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Sedlaková
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Vránová
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Horák
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001944:Breath Tests; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis