Systemic haemodynamic and hepatic venous pressures, arterial and mixed venous gases and arterial lactate concentration were measured in 35 patients with histologically proven alcoholic cirrhosis who had been classified into three groups (A, B and C). Eight alcoholic patients without cirrhosis on liver biopsy were also studied. Compared with group A patients, group C patients had significantly higher hepatic venous pressure gradient, cardiac index, O2 transport and arterial lactate concentration and significantly lower systemic vascular resistance, arteriovenous O2 content difference and O2 uptake. In group B patients, corresponding values fell between those of groups A and C. Group A patients, unlike group C patients, were not significantly different from patients without cirrhosis with respect to cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance, O2 uptake and arterial lactate concentration. Our results suggest that in patients with cirrhosis, liver failure-associated hyperdynamic circulation may be accompanied by an abnormal tissue oxygenation.