Cardiac hemodynamic profiles and pro-B-type natriuretic Peptide in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
The aim of our study was to determine concentrations of amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with cirrhosis, thereby describing the hemodynamic and cardiac profiles to verify the existence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.


METHODS
Clinical data, NT-proBNP levels, echocardiography, and right heart hemodynamic measurements were performed on all patients undergoing liver transplantation for cirrhosis.


RESULTS
Our patients showed a hyperdynamic circulation with elevated left-sided pressures despite high cardiac outputs. This observation suggested abnormalities in left ventricular diastolic compliance. We verified these results, because our cohort showed a significant left ventricular mass index and, consequently, diastolic dysfunction. Mean NT-proBNP levels were high. The great expansion of central volume may explain these results and the later development of left ventricular hypertrophy.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that elevated concentrations of NT-proBNP indicated the presence of hyperdynamic syndrome and cardiac dysfunction.
Bernal
V
V
Liver Transplant Unit, University Hospital "Lozano Blesa," Zaragoza, Spain. vbernalm@gmail.com
Pascual
I
I
Esquivias
P
P
García-Gil
A
A
Fernández
C
C
Mateo
J M
JM
González
M
M
Simón
M A
MA
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002302:Cardiac Output; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003971:Diastole; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000601:surgery; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D013599:Systole; D014655:Vascular Resistance
D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain