[Acute liver failure secondary to cardiogenic shock in patients with congestive heart failure]

Arq Bras Cardiol. 1994 Jun;62(6):427-30.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

Fulminant hepatic failure is a complication of severe cardiocirculatory failure, with high morbidity and mortality, and is frequently misdiagnosed as fulminant viral hepatitis. We report three cases of patients with chronic severe heart failure who developed cardiogenic shock complicated by elevation of aminotransferase levels above 1,000 soon after the most severe episode of hypotension. All the three patients presented regression of hepatic enzymes 72h after admission. Two patients developed hepatic encephalopathy and renal failure. One underwent the implantation of an artificial left ventricle, followed by orthotopic heart transplantation. One died of systemic multiple organ failure, after he had showed improvement on his hepatic profile, and one was sent to the ward, after 15 days with marked improvement on his clinical status and no signs of hepatic disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / analysis
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / complications*
  • Humans
  • Liver Failure, Acute / enzymology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / etiology*
  • Male
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / enzymology
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / etiology*

Substances

  • Alanine Transaminase