Prognostic relevance of liver stiffness assessed by transient elastography in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

Background: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is often accompanied by liver congestion through increased right atrial pressure (RAP). Liver stiffness (LS) assessed non-invasively using transient elastography is related to increased RAP and liver congestion in patients with general HF. We investigated the relationship of LS with clinical and echocardiographic variables and outcomes in patients with ADHF. Methods and Results: The subjects were 105 patients with ADHF admitted to hospital between October 2016 and June 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on median LS at admission (low LS <8.8 kPa [n=52] vs. high LS ≥8.8 kPa [n=53]). Death from cardiovascular disease and readmission for HF were primary endpoints. Total bilirubin and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels, MELD-XI score, diameters of the inferior vena cava and right ventricle, and severity of tricuspid regurgitation were greater in the high LS group (all P<0.05). During a median (interquartile range) follow-up period of 153 (83–231) days, cardiac events occurred in 29 patients (54%) in the high LS group and in 13 (25%) in the low LS group (P=0.001). After adjusting for variables that influence organ congestion, a high LS ≥8.8 kPa was still significantly associated with cardiac events (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Increased LS measured by transient elastography reflects RAP elevation, hepatic congestion, and hepatic dysfunction. LS upon admission may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with ADHF.