Jahangiri et al reported electrocardiographic changes that can be seen in a patient with cirrhosis. The authors are from the Iran University of Medical Sciences and the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
Patient selection: cirrhosis
ECG changes in cirrhosis may include:
(1) prolongation of the QTc interval (> 450 ms in males and > 470 in females)
(2) early transitional zone (R wave >= S wave in V1 or V2; normally occurs in V3 or V4)
(3) left and/or right ventricular hypertrophy
The extent of changes increases as the Child-Pugh grade increases.
Cardiomyopathy may occur in cirrhosis and is associated with:
(1) high cardiac output
(2) low systemic resistance
(3) impaired cardiac response to stress
The cardiomyopathy may also be affected by the underlying cause such as alcohol and hemochromatosis which can affect both the liver and heart.
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