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Cardiovascular effects of canrenone in patients with preascitic cirrhosis
Author(s) -
La Villa Giorgio,
Barletta Giuseppe,
Romanelli Roberto Giulio,
Laffi Giacomo,
Del Bene Riccarda,
Vizzutti Francesco,
Pantaleo Pietro,
Mazzocchi Valeria,
Gentilini Paolo
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1053/jhep.2002.33334
Subject(s) - medicine , plasma renin activity , stroke volume , ejection fraction , aldosterone , cirrhosis , preload , cardiac index , cardiology , supine position , endocrinology , cardiac function curve , heart failure , cardiac output , hemodynamics , blood pressure , renin–angiotensin system
In patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, standing induces a reduction in cardiac index (CI) and an increase in systemic vascular resistance index. Our previous studies indicate that this abnormal hemodynamic response to standing is due to an altered myocardial function, because cirrhotic patients are unable to compensate for the reduced preload with an increase in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and stroke volume. To evaluate whether the cardiac dysfunction in cirrhosis is influenced by canrenone, an aldosterone antagonist, 8 patients with preascitic, nonalcoholic cirrhosis, and portal hypertension underwent echocardiographic assessment of LV function and systemic hemodynamics and determinations of plasma volume, urinary sodium excretion, and plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (PAC), and norepinephrine (PNE) when on a 150‐mmol/d‐sodium diet (baseline), after 1 month on canrenone (100 mg/d) plus a 40‐mmol/d‐sodium diet and after 1 month on canrenone plus a 150‐mmol/d‐sodium diet. Echocardiographic evaluation was performed with the patient in the supine position and during active standing. At baseline, patients had high plasma volume and normal renal function, PRA, PAC, and PNE. CI, LVEF, and stroke volume index were also normal. Standing caused a significant reduction in CI and LVEF. After canrenone and either sodium diet, CI significantly decreased, and PRA and PNE increased in the supine position. On standing, LVEF and CI did not decrease further. Plasma volume significantly decreased only after low‐sodium diet plus canrenone. In conclusion, canrenone normalizes the cardiac response to the postural challenge in patients with preascitic cirrhosis.