Left atrial strain and ventricular global longitudinal strain in cirrhotic patients using the new criteria of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium

Background: The new criteria of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium (CCC) propose the use of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV- GLS) for evaluation of systolic function in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate LV-GLS and left atrial (LA) strain in association with the severity of liver disease and to assess the characteristics of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM). Methods: One hundred and thirty-five cirrhotic patients were included. Standard echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) were performed, and dual X-ray absorptiometry was used to quantify the total and regional fat mass. CCM was defined, based on the criteria of CCC, as having advanced diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular ejection fraction =50% and/or a GLS <18%. Results: LV-GLS lower or higher than the absolute mean value (22.7%) was not associated with mortality (logrank, p = 0.96). LV- GLS was higher in patients with Model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score =15 compared to MELD score <15 (p = 0.004). MELD score was the only factor independently associated with systolic function (LV-GLS <22.7% vs. =22.7%) (Odds Ratio:1.141, p = 0.032). Patients with CCM (n = 11) had higher values of estimated volume of visceral adipose tissue compared with patients without CCM (median: 735 vs. 641 cm3, p = 0.039). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, MELD score [Hazard Ratio (HR):1.26, p < 0.001] and LA reservoir strain (HR: 0.96, p = 0.017) were the only factors independently associated with the outcome. Conclusion: In our study, absolute LV-GLS was higher in more severe liver disease, and LA reservoir strain was significantly associated with the outcome in patients with end-stage liver disease.