Effect of oxygen inhalation on systemic, central, and splanchnic haemodynamics in cirrhosis

doi:10.1016/S0168-8278(96)80118-8

Journal of Hepatology

Volume 25, Issue 3, September 1996, Pages 316-328

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-8278(96)80118-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

Background/Aims: Patients with cirrhosis exhibit a hyperdynamic circulation with increased cardiac output and low arterial blood pressure. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of oxygen inhalation on systemic, central, and splanchnic haemodynamics and vasoactive systems in patients with cirrhosis (n=19).

Results: Spirometry was normal, but the carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (transfer factor) was significantly decreased, 18.8 ml·min⁻¹·mmHg⁻¹ (−32% of that predicted, p<0.0001), and correlated significantly with the cardiac output (r=0.78, p<0.0005), plasma volume (r=0.72, p<0.001) and the central and arterial blood volume (r=0.67, p<0.005). After inhalation of 100% oxygen over a period of 20 min, the cardiac output decreased from 7.4 to 6.6 l/min (p<0.0005), and the systemic vascular resistance increased from 980 to 1124 dyn·s·cm⁻⁵ (p<0.005). The change in systemic vascular resistance was significantly greater in patients with mild liver dysfunction than in those with severe liver dysfunction (p<0.02). In contrast, no significant changes were seen in the arterial or portal venous pressures during inhalation of oxygen. Arterial concentrations of catecholamines, renin, endothelin-1, and calcitonin gene-related peptide were all increased in patients with cirrhosis, but only the catecholamine concentrations decreased significantly (noradrenaline −13%, p<0.02 and adrenaline −16%, p<0.01) in response to oxygen.

Conclusion: During oxygen inhalation cardiac output decreases and systemic vascular resistance increases in association with a decrease in arterial concentrations of catecholamine, but oxygen supply in patients with cirrhosis does not normalise the hyperdynamic circulation or the low arterial blood pressure.

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Citation Excerpt :
Systemic vascular resistance was assessed as 80×(mean arterial blood pressure−right atrial pressure) divided by cardiac output [2]. Plasma concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline were determined by HPLC, as described elsewhere [26]. Hepatic blood flow was determined by the indocyanine green (ICG) constant infusion technique.
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Conclusions: Acute non-selective β-blockade reduces prolonged QT_c towards normal values in patients with cirrhosis. The clinical significance of QT_c reduction in arrhythmia is a topic for future research.
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Effect of oxygen inhalation on systemic, central, and splanchnic haemodynamics in cirrhosis

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