"CIRRHOTIC HEARTS AND FAILING LIVERS: MAPPING THE BIDIRECTIONAL PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF CARDIO HEPATIC SYNDROME"

Abstract

Cardio hepatic syndrome represents a complex and bidirectional interaction between liver cirrhosis and cardiac dysfunction, often-complicating diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. This study investigates the clinical, biochemical, and imaging-based correlations between cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and congestive hepatopathy, aiming to improve the understanding of their interconnected pathophysiology. A retrospective observational design was employed, analyzing electronic medical records of adult patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital between January 2019 and December 2023. Patients with diagnosed liver cirrhosis and concurrent cardiac abnormalities, or cardiac dysfunction with hepatic impairment, were included. Data on liver function tests, cardiac biomarkers, echocardiographic parameters, liver electrography, and clinical scoring systems (MELD, Child-Pugh, NYHA) were extracted and analyzed. Statistical methods included multivariate logistic regression and Pearson correlation to identify predictors and associations between liver and cardiac parameters. The results indicate a strong association between advanced liver disease and impaired cardiac performance, particularly diastolic dysfunction and elevated central venous pressure. Imaging and biomarker correlations suggest that integrated diagnostic strategies can improve early identification and risk stratification. This study highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to manage cardio hepatic interactions, especially in patients being evaluated for transplantation or presenting with overlapping symptoms. Improved awareness of cardio hepatic syndrome can lead to more accurate diagnosis, targeted therapy, and better clinical outcomes.