Studies of portal hemodynamics and hepatic oxygen consumption during acute liver allograft rejection.

Hemodynamics and oxygen variables, plasma cytokines, and histological features of a liver tissue sample obtained by transvenous biopsy were evaluated during 65 episodes of acute rejection. The hepatic venous pressure gradient was significantly higher in patients with acute rejection than in those without (5.1+/-0.3 vs. 3.1+/-0.2 mmHg, P<0.01). The increase in pressure gradient was related to the severity of rejection lesions. Hepatic blood flow was significantly lower in patients with than in those without acute graft rejection (1.28+/-0.11 vs. 1.75+/-0.13 L/min, P<0.05). Plasma interleukin-6 levels were significantly increased in patients with acute rejection and positively correlated with pressure gradient values. In patients with acute rejection, a significant decrease in hepatic venous oxygen content (-16%) was associated with a significant increase in hepatic oxygen consumption (+24%), whereas hepatic oxygen transport did not change significantly. In treated patients with a favorable response, the pressure gradient decreased significantly by 46%, but it remained elevated in patients who later developed chronic graft rejection. In conclusion, this study confirms that acute graft rejection may induce an increase in portal pressure, which is related to the severity of rejection lesions. It also shows that acute rejection decreases hepatic blood flow and increases hepatic oxygen consumption. In addition, it suggests that the hepatic venous pressure gradient might be useful to determine the outcome of rejection.

[Influence of anemia on hemodynamic changes in patients with cirrhosis]. / Influence de l'anémie sur les modifications hémodynamiques des malades atteints de cirrhose.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the systemic and splanchnic hemodynamic changes induced by anemia in patients with cirrhosis. METHOD: 148 patients (Child-Pugh A: 46 patients, Child-Pugh B: 64 patients and Child-Pugh C: 38 patients) were included in the study. Anemia was defined by a blood hemoglobin level < 12 g/dL. A systemic and splanchnic hemodynamic study was performed in all patients. RESULTS: A significant elevation of the hepatic venous pressure gradient was observed in Child-Pugh A patients with anemia but not in Child-Pugh B and C patients. In the 2 latter groups, cardiac index was significantly increased and systemic vascular resistance decreased in patients with anemia. CONCLUSION: Anemia may worsen the hemodynamic changes associated with cirrhosis.

Systemic and splanchnic hemodynamic changes in patients with hepatic schistosomiasis.

Although hepatic schistosomiasis is a common cause of portal hypertension, only a few hemodynamic studies, in humans, have been published on this subject. The aim of this study was to determine the systemic and splanchnic hemodynamic changes in hepatic schistosomiasis and to evaluate the influence of liver fibrosis on these changes. A retrospective analysis of a series of 13 patients with hepatic schistosomiasis who had undergone hemodynamic studies was performed. Portal or perisinusoidal fibrosis was present at liver biopsy in 8 patients. The control group included 22 patients with chronic hepatitis and normal hepatic venous pressure gradients. Patients with schistosomiasis exhibited high cardiac index (4.11 +/- 1.15 l.min-1.m-2 vs 2.99 +/- 0.85 l.min-1.m-2; p < 0.05) and low systemic vascular resistance (1039 +/- 316 dyn.s.cm-5 vs 1334 +/- 336 dyn.s.cm-5; p < 0.05). The hepatic venous pressure gradient and hepatic blood flow were normal. Azygos blood flow was markedly increased (0.90 +/- 0.66 l.min-1 vs 0.13 +/- 0.04 l.min-1; p < 0.05). Hemodynamic values were not significantly different between patients with liver fibrosis and those without fibrosis at liver biopsy. In conclusion, patients with hepatic schistosomiasis had a hyperkinetic systemic and splanchnic circulation. In patients with esophageal varices, a normal hepatic venous pressure gradient confirmed presinusoidal portal hypertension. The presence of portal or perisinuoidal fibrosis did not influence hyperdynamic splanchnic state.

Hypoxemia in patients with cirrhosis: relationship with liver failure and hemodynamic alterations.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The relationship between hypoxemia, liver failure and the hemodynamic alterations in cirrhosis are unknown. This study examined the relationship between arterial hypoxemia, the severity of liver disease and hyperkinetic circulation in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Arterial blood gases, the severity of cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score), and splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics were measured in 120 patients with cirrhosis and without cardiopulmonary disease. Hypoxemia was considered to be present when PaO2 was < or = 70 mmHg. RESULTS: Seventeen patients had hypoxemia (14%). Hypoxemic patients had significantly lower pulmonary vascular resistance and a significantly higher alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, Child-Pugh score and hepatic venous pressure gradient than non-hypoxemic patients. Cardiac index and right atrial and pulmonary pressures did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxemia occurs mainly in patients with severe liver disease and is associated with pulmonary vasodilation.

Relationship between hepatic blood flow, liver tests, haemodynamic values and clinical characteristics in patients with chronic liver disease.

Although hepatic blood flow (HBF) has been measured in patients with liver disease for many years, the results of these studies have not provided clear information concerning the usefulness of this measurement. Hepatic blood flow was measured in 392 patients with either cirrhosis (n = 356) or hepatic fibrosis (n = 36). The control group included 59 subjects with normal liver architecture. Hepatic clearance of indocyanine green (ICG) was markedly reduced in patients with cirrhosis and hepatic fibrosis compared with controls (182 +/- 5, 276 +/- 22 and 421 +/- 25 mL/min, respectively). In patients with cirrhosis, ICG clearance and extraction were significantly correlated, but were not correlated to HBF. Although HBF did not differ between patients with cirrhosis and controls (1.26 +/- 0.04 vs 1.35 +/- 0.07 L/min, respectively), patients with hepatic fibrosis had lower HBF (1.04 +/- 0.07 L/min; P < 0.05). In patients with cirrhosis, no correlation was observed between HBF and cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, azygos blood flow, the hepatic venous pressure gradient or Pugh's score. However, a significant difference in HBF was observed in patients with and without hepatic encephalopathy (1.00 +/- 0.09 vs 1.28 +/- 0.03 L/min, respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study shows that, in patients with cirrhosis, HBF is normal and is not related to other haemodynamic values or liver tests. These results discourage the measurement of HBF in the evaluation of patients with cirrhosis.

Influence of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) on tissue oxygenation in patients with cirrhosis.

UNLABELLED: AIMS/BACKGROUNDS: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the influence of transjugular portosystemic intrahepatic shunts (TIPS) on tissue oxygenation in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites. METHODS: Five shunted patients were included in the study. The blood and tissue oxygenation values were analyzed 12 days and 4 months after TIPS procedure. The results were compared with those observed in patients treated by paracentesis. RESULTS: Unlike patients treated by paracentesis, PaO2 values remained unchanged throughout follow-up in shunted patients. After the TIPS procedure, there was a transient increase in systemic O2 transport and O2 uptake and a transient decrease in O2 saturation of hepatic oxyhemoglobin. After 4 months, TIPS resulted in an increase in PCO2 values and bicarbonate concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The TIPS procedure seems to prevent the decrease in PaO2 observed in patients treated by paracentesis and may improve the respiratory alkalosis of cirrhosis.

Refractory hypoxemia during liver cirrhosis. Hepatopulmonary syndrome or "primary" pulmonary hypertension?

We report an uncommon mechanism of severe hypoxemia in two cirrhotic patients under long-term beta-blocker therapy. Our patients presented with profound hypoxemia refractory to oxygen therapy, normal lung radiography and pulmonary function tests, and evidence of right-to-left anatomic shunt. Although these features are highly suggestive of hepatopulmonary syndrome, pulmonary hypertension was present, and a right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale was demonstrated by contrast-enhanced echocardiography. No cause of pulmonary hypertension other than portal hypertension was identified. Pulmonary hypertension and intracardiac right-to-left shunt eventually regressed after discontinuation of beta-blocker therapy. We conclude that "primary" pulmonary hypertension associated with portal hypertension may because of severe hypoxemia during liver cirrhosis. Differential diagnosis of hepatopulmonary syndrome relies upon contrast-enhanced echocardiography and may be of critical importance because of possible therapeutic implications.

Hemodynamic and metabolic effects of terlipressin in patients with cirrhosis receiving a nonselective beta-blocker.

Terlipressin (Glypressin), a vasopressin analog, may be administered to patients with cirrhosis receiving a beta-adrenergic antagonist. Since terlipressin alone and beta-blockers alone both decrease portal pressure, a combination of these substances may have additional portal hypotensive effects. However, the negative side effects of terlipressin may be accentuated by long-term beta-blockade. Thus, the present study examined hemodynamic and metabolic responses to terlipressin in 12 patients receiving nonselective beta-blockers (propranolol or nadolol). Hemodynamics and oxygen (O2) -derived variables were measured prior to and 30 min after the administration (intravenous bolus) of terlipressin (1 to 2 mg, according to body weight). The hepatic venous pressure gradient and azygos blood flow significantly decreased (from 15.3 +/- 1.1 to 12.5 +/- 1.1 mm Hg, and from 0.6 +/- 0.1 to 0.5 +/- 0.1 liters/min, respectively). Arterial and pulmonary wedged pressures significantly increased. Heart rate, cardiac index, and O2 consumption were not significantly affected by terlipressin. In conclusion, in patients with cirrhosis being treated with a nonselective beta-blocker, terlipressin administration decreased portal pressure. Moreover, terlipressin induced only mild systemic hemodynamic effects in these patients. These results suggest that terlipressin can be administered in patients receiving a beta-adrenergic blocker.

Hemodynamics after orthotopic liver transplantation: study of associated factors and long-term effects.

Among 68 liver transplant recipients, 190 hemodynamic studies were performed to evaluate the role of sepsis, anemia, acute graft rejection, and persistent portosystemic shunts. The hemodynamic outcome after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in stable patients was also determined. Patients with sepsis showed a significant increase in cardiac index (5.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 3.4 +/- 0.7 L/min m2) and hepatic venous pressure gradient (6.3 +/- 2.9 vs. 3.3 +/- 2.1 mm Hg), compared with patients without sepsis. Cardiac index was higher in patients with, than in patients without, anemia (4.1 +/- 0.6 vs. 3.0 +/- 0.6 L/min m2). The hepatic venous pressure gradient was higher in patients with than in patients without acute graft rejection (5.1 +/- 2.9 vs. 2.6 +/- 1.2 mm Hg). Among patients with acute rejection, the hepatic venous pressure gradient was higher in patients with severe rejection than in those with moderate or mild rejection (7.2 +/- 3.3 vs. 4.6 +/- 2.4 and 2.8 +/- 0.9 mm Hg). In the postoperative period, in patients undergoing transplantation for acute liver failure, the hepatic blood flow was normal and significantly lower than in patients receiving transplant for cirrhosis (1.15 +/- 0.37 vs. 1.96 +/- 0.71 L/min). In patients undergoing transplantation for cirrhosis, cardiac index, azygos, and hepatic blood flows significantly decreased after 1 year compared with the first 6 postoperative months. Multivariate analysis showed that sepsis, anemia, and time after OLT were independent variables influencing cardiac index. Sepsis, time after OLT, and the existence of portosystemic shunts were independent variables influencing hepatic blood flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Natriuretic response to the combination of atrial natriuretic peptide and terlipressin in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Refractory ascites, which occurs in certain patients with cirrhosis, is associated with a blunted natriuretic response to exogenous atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Since this blunting seems to be related to ANP-induced arterial hypotension, a vasoconstrictor, such as terlipressin (a vasopressin analogue), may restore natriuresis to exogenous ANP. Moreover, since cirrhosis-elicited vasodilation is thought to play a role in sodium retention, a vasoconstriction caused by terlipressin alone may lead to an increase in sodium excretion. This study aimed to evaluate the natriuretic response to either a combination of ANP with terlipressin or terlipressin alone in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites. METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites were randomly assigned to receive either a combination of terlipressin (1-2 mg, i.v. bolus) with ANP (35 ng/kg, i.v. bolus followed by 15 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1) for 60 min) (n=8) or terlipressin alone (1-2 mg, i.v. bolus) (n=8). Sodium excretion and urine output, systemic, splanchnic and renal hemodynamics and renal oxygen consumption were measured before and during treatments. RESULTS: Combined therapy did not change arterial pressure but significantly increased urinary sodium excretion and urine output. These effects were associated with a significant increase in glomerular filtration rate and a decrease in renal oxygen consumption. Terlipressin alone significantly increased arterial pressure but did not change urinary sodium excretion or urine output. Moreover, terlipressin did not change either glomerular filtration rate or renal oxygen consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of exogenous ANP with terlipressin, but not terlipressin alone, increases sodium excretion in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites.

Plasma concentrations of cyclic 3', 5'-guanosine monophosphate in patients with cirrhosis: relationship with atrial natriuretic peptide and haemodynamics.

Little is known about the plasma concentrations of cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in patients with cirrhosis. However, plasma cGMP concentrations provide information on cellular cGMP production by particulate guanylyl cyclases (which are stimulated by natriuretic peptides, such as atrial natriuretic peptide; ANP). In contrast, because intracellular cGMP elicits vasorelaxant mechanisms, plasma cGMP concentrations may be related to haemodynamic alterations in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of the present study was to measure plasma cGMP concentrations in patients with cirrhosis and controls and to examine the relationship between cGMP levels and plasma ANP concentrations and haemodynamic values. Plasma concentrations of cGMP and ANP and splanchnic and systemic haemodynamics were measured in 23 subjects; 13 subjects had cirrhosis and 10 were controls. All subjects had normal glomerular filtration. Plasma cGMP concentrations were significantly higher in patients (6.5 +/- 0.8 pmol/mL) than in controls (2.7 +/- 0.4 pmol/mL), while plasma ANP concentrations did not significantly differ between the two groups (127 +/- 22 and 123 +/- 27 pg/mL, respectively). In patients with cirrhosis, no significant correlation was found between plasma cGMP concentrations and plasma ANP concentrations, hepatic venous pressure gradient, cardiac output or systemic vascular resistance. In conclusion, in patients with cirrhosis, increased plasma cGMP concentrations may be due to an activation of particulate guanylyl cyclases by natriuretic peptides other than ANP. The present study suggest that plasma cGMP concentrations are not related to cirrhosis-induced haemodynamic alterations.

Relation between severity of liver disease and renal oxygen consumption in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Worsening cirrhosis may lead to increased renal O2 metabolism caused by activation of neurohumoral antinatriuretic substances. AIMS: To evaluate the relation between the severity of liver disease, sodium excretion, and neurohumoral antinatriuretic substances on the one hand and renal O2 metabolism on the other in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Renal O2 consumption and haemodynamics as well as plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, renin, and aldosterone were measured. Investigations were performed in 14 patients with Pugh's grade A, 43 with grade B, and 29 with grade C liver disease. RESULTS: Renal O2 consumption significantly increased with the severity of cirrhosis (grade A, 8.9 (1.6); grade B, 15.5 (1.3); grade C, 18.0 (1.5) ml/min/m2). Plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, renin, and aldosterone significantly increased while mean arterial presssure and systemic vascular resistance significantly decreased with the severity of the disease. A significant inverse correlation was found between renal O2 consumption and sodium excretion. A significant direct correlation was found between plasma levels of noradrenaline and aldosterone on the one hand and renal O2 consumption on the other. Renal blood flow and the glomerular filtration rate did not differ significantly between patients with grade C and grade A or B disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows for the first time that, in patients with cirrhosis, worsening of the disease is associated with an increase in renal O2 consumption. The results suggest that increased renal O2 consumption is due to renal tubular sodium retention caused by increased levels of neurohumoral antinatriuretic substances. This neurohumoral activation is related to cirrhosis induced vasodilation.