Increased liver stiffness values in patients with heart failure

Background : Liver stiffness has been claimed to be increased in patients with heart failure. Aims : To determine the magnitude of this increase in liver stiff- ness, and to clarify whether it is related to the degree of heart fail- ure or not. Methods : Twenty-six patients were prospectively collected, and divided in groups CHF (those with compensated chronic heart failure) and AHF (those with acute decompensated heart failure). Patients underwent routine blood chemistries, pro-BNP determi- nation, echocardiography and transient elastography during out- patient care (group CHF) or at hospital admission (group AHF). Blood chemistries, pro-BNP and transient elastography were re- peated in patients in group AHF before being discharged. Results : Correlation between liver stiffness and pro-BNP levels was statistically significant (Rho = 0.747, p = 0.001). Patients in group CHF had lower values of liver stiffness and pro-BNP when compared with patients in group AHF at admission. Median liver stiffness and pro-BNP values were 6.5 vs 14.4 kPa (p = 0.009) and 1511 vs 3535 pg/ml (p = 0.025) respectively. After clinical com- pensation, liver stiffness decreased in all patients in group AHF. Liver stiffness was 14.4 kPa at admission and 8.2 kPa at discharge (p=0.008). Pro-BNP values also decreased from a median of 3535 pg/ml to a median of 1098 pg/ml (p = 0.025). Conclusions : Patients with heart failure have increased liver stiffness, that appears to be related with the severity of heart fail- ure. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2013, 76, 246-250).