Background: Abnormalities in liver function tests have impact on prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of the present study was to assess the functional liver mass in patient with systolic CHF with (13)C-methacetin breath test.
Patients and methods: Liver function was assessed with (13)C-methacetin breath test in twenty patients, 15 men and 5 women, with systolic CHF, LVEF </=45%, NYHA II-IV, and ten age and sex matched controls. The cumulative dose of exhaled (13)CO(2) was measured with an infra-red analyzer. On the day of the breath test, routine liver function tests were determined and the echocardiographic studies were realized.
Results: Functional liver mass was significantly decreased in patients at NYHA IV, compared to subjects with NYHA II, III and controls. Study revealed weak correlation of cumulative dose of (13)CO(2) with LV EF (r=0.47) and significant inverse correlation with left atrial diameter (r=-0.80, p<0.0001) among other variables.
Conclusions: The metabolic liver function is significantly impaired in patients with advanced CHF. The functional liver mass in patients with systolic CHF does not correlate with LVEF, but significantly correlates with left atrial diameter.