Patients with CHD are susceptible to ischemic hepatitis because right heart failure elevates hepatic sinusoidal pressure and reduces portal inflow. This results in increased sensitivity Gefitinib mouse to any decrease in hepatic artery flow, resulting from a decrease in cardiac output (e.g., caused by concurrent arrhythmias or hypotension). For example, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction/coarctation of the aorta is associated with hypoperfusion and, in some clinical situations, may lead to

hepatic ischemia.6 Chronic hepatic ischemia may also lead to hepatic fibrosis.7 Hepatic disease caused by acute cardiac dysfunction results from a combination of low-output cardiac failure and passive congestion. Often, the clinical presentation may be indistinguishable from primary liver disease. For example, a marked elevation in transaminase levels characteristic of ischemic hepatitis may also be observed in patients presenting with drug-induced or acute viral hepatitis. However, a rapid reduction in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the setting of an acute decrease in cardiac output/systemic hypotension suggests hepatic ischemia. Acute cardiac dysfunction is more likely to be associated with jaundice and encephalopathy, as compared to chronic or acute on chronic cardiac dysfunction.7 In acute cardiac dysfunction (e.g., ischemic hepatitis), elevations in

the thousands of aminotransferase levels within 24 hours and

Erlotinib molecular weight increases in bilirubin Resveratrol and prothrombin time can be observed. A lag in the rise of serum bilirubin may be observed, and the elevation in bilirubin may take a longer time to resolve, as compared to aminotransferase levels. ALT levels are correlated highly with right atrial pressure, free hepatic venous pressure (FHVP), and wedge hepatic venous pressure (WHVP), but not the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) or cardiac index. Total bilirubin correlates better with HVPG. However, in persons with chronic cardiac dysfunction, a correlation of biochemical parameters with hepatic pressures is not present. Elevation of transaminases after cardiac surgery occurs more frequently than previously reported, particularly in the setting of right-sided heart failure. Extreme elevations of ALT, AST, and lactate dehydrogenase correlate negatively with postoperative survival.8 In a single-center study that predominantly examined cases of ischemic cardiomyopathy, hepatic centrilobular necrosis, inflammation, and hemorrhage were more common in the acute group. In contrast, centrilobular and periportal fibrosis were more frequent in patients with chronic cardiac dysfunction.7 The Fontan procedure, initially described in patients with tricuspid atresia, is the most common procedure in patients with single-ventricle physiology or when biventricular repair is not feasible (e.g., double-inlet left ventricle and hypoplastic left heart).