From the Research
Aortic Stenosis and Passive Hepatic Congestion
- Aortic stenosis (AS) is a valvular heart disease that can lead to increased left ventricular systolic overload and heart failure 1.
- Heart failure can cause passive hepatic congestion due to increased central venous pressure, leading to elevations of liver enzymes and serum bilirubin 2.
- Passive hepatic congestion is a common complication of congestive heart failure, where elevated central venous pressure is directly transmitted to the hepatic veins, causing stasis of blood within the liver parenchyma 3.
- Aortic stenosis can contribute to the development of heart failure, which in turn can lead to passive hepatic congestion.
- There is evidence to suggest that patients with aortic stenosis and end-stage liver disease may require prioritization of surgical and anesthetic therapies 4.
- The pathophysiology of aortic stenosis and its effects on the left ventricle, as well as the treatment of hypertension in aortic stenosis, have been studied 1, but the direct link between aortic stenosis and passive hepatic congestion is supported by the understanding of heart failure and its consequences on the liver 2, 3.