HEPATIC-DYSFUNCTION SECONDARY TO HEART-FAILURE

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 76  (6) , 511-518
Abstract
The case reports of 5 patients who manifested severe hepatocellular injury secondary to heart failure are presented. All had evidence of severe left ventricular dysfunction and a low cardiac output state. The clinical findings of right heart failure were variable and not always present. Liver histology, when obtained, revealed evidence of centrilobular necrosis (CLN). Rapid normalization of the biochemical abnormalities occurred in all patients, irrespective of clinical improvement of their cardiac status. The pathophysiology of CLN secondary to heart failure is discussed. Reduced cardiac output is the major factor in its etiology. Hepatic venous congestion does not play a significant role.