Brief Article
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World J Hepatol. Apr 27, 2012; 4(4): 149-153
Published online Apr 27, 2012. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v4.i4.149
Non invasive continuous hemodynamic evaluation of cirrhotic patients after postural challenge
Roberto Tarquini, Gianluigi Mazzoccoli, Fulvio Fusi, Giacomo Laffi, Gian Franco Gensini, Salvatore Mario Romano
Roberto Tarquini, Fulvio Fusi, Giacomo Laffi, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, 50134 Florence, Italy
Gianluigi Mazzoccoli, Department of Internal Medicine and Chronobiology Unit, Scientific Institute and Regional General Hospital, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
Gian Franco Gensini, Salvatore Mario Romano, Heart and Vessel Department, School of Medicine, 50134 Florence, Italy
Author contributions: Tarquini R and Romano SM contributed equally to this work; Tarquini R, Romano SM and Gensini GF designed the research; Fusi F and Mazzoccoli G performed the research; Tarquini R, Laffi G and Romano SM analyzed the data; and Tarquini R and Gensini GF wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Roberto Tarquini, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, viale Morgagni 85, 50134 Florence, Italy. rtarquini@unifi.it
Telephone: +39-55-7947046 Fax: +39-55-417123
Received: September 14, 2011
Revised: November 8, 2011
Accepted: April 24, 2012
Published online: April 27, 2012
Abstract

AIM: To assess whether Most Care is able to detect the cardiovascular alterations in response to physiological stress (posture).

METHODS: Non invasive hemodynamic was assessed in 26 cirrhotic patients compared to healthy subjects, both in the supine and standing positions.

RESULTS: In baseline conditions, when compared to healthy subjects, cirrhotic patients showed significantly lower values of dicrotic and diastolic pressures and systemic vascular resistance. While in the standing position, cirrhotic patients showed higher values of cardiac index, stroke volume index and cardiac cycle efficiency. When returning to the supine position, cirrhotic patients exhibited lower values of dicrotic and diastolic pressures and systemic vascular resistance in the presence of higher values of cardiac index, stroke volume index and cardiac cycle efficiency.

CONCLUSION: Most Care proved to be able to detect cardiovascular abnormalities bedside in the resting state and after postural challenge in cirrhotic patients.

Keywords: Liver cirrhosis; Non-invasive hemodynamic; Pressure recording analytical method; Posture