Real Time Pressure Volume Loops in Cirrhosis: Characterization of Systolic and Diastolic Function and Validation of Doppler Indices with the Gold Standard

Studies reporting abnormal left ventricular (LV) properties in cirrhosis have frequently used load-dependent indices. Aims: 1) to evaluate systolic and diastolic LV properties with the gold standard, LV conductance catheter, which allows obtention of real-time pressure volume loops, 2) to test the validity of Doppler-echocardiography indices compared to the gold standard, 3) to analyze the impact of severity of liver disease, neurohormonal activation and beta-blocker (BB) treatment on LV properties. Methods: Pressure-volume loops were obtained in 9 patients with cirrhosis (Child A:3;B:2;C:4; refractory ascites:2…