Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCMP) is a functional disorder characterized by electrophysiologic disturbances and diastolic and/or systolic dysfunction in patients with chronic liver disease, especially those with ascites and portal hypertension. This disorder is a well-defined entity in adults, but pediatric data are limited. Clinical and laboratory findings are generally latent. The diagnostic criteria are prolonged QT on electrocardiography due to metabolic and extrahepatic causes, in addition to some abnormal echocardiography findings. If echocardiographic findings are normal and only specific prolonged QT is present, this disorder is named as "latent CCMP"; otherwise, it is "manifest CCMP." This disorder is important because it may lead to problems such as cardiac failure and dysrhythmia before or after liver transplantation. Moreover, it may worsen the prognosis.