Problems with the functioning of the heart muscle (heart failure) provoke blood stasis in all systems of the human body, which often leads to the development of cardinal cirrhosis. Such a disease proceeds in a chronic form, in which the structure of the organ (cells and ducts), as well as its functioning at the cellular level, changes greatly. It is important to determine whether cardiac cirrhosis can be cured?
Disease Description
The liver is often exposed to chemicals and toxins, it can easily be damaged by alcohol, hepatitis or autoimmune processes, and heart problems can also adversely affect the organ. Cardiac cirrhosis is considered a secondary disease, as it develops against the background of another disease - heart failure in an advanced degree. The following concomitant diseases can lead to the development of an ailment : hypertension, drinking large amounts of alcohol, diabetes, myocarditis, other problems with the functioning of the heart muscle, etc., heart problems, as a result of which the negative effect on the liver continues almost constantly. Cardiac cirrhosis of the liver ICD-10 - K 74.
With cardiac cirrhosis, the liver greatly increases in size, its lower border can be well felt near the navel. If the organ provokes a pain syndrome when pressed, then very soon edema will begin to develop in it. Sometimes it is possible to determine the liver pulse by one appearance. During cirrhosis of cardiac etiology in the analyzes, it can be determined that the level of bilirubin is higher and albumin is much less.
Causes of the disease
Heart failure provokes a deterioration in the pumping function of the organ, the speed of movement of blood in a small circle, which leads to severe stagnation of blood vessels. Since the liver is an organ that includes a large number of vessels, the main negative effect falls on it. Swelling leads to oxygen starvation. Blood strongly compresses the organ, which does not allow normal removal of bile from the liver. Such processes lead to the development of cirrhosis.
Heart failure occurs due to organ overload with regularly elevated blood pressure or blood flow disorders. The disease adversely affects every organ, especially the liver and blood vessels that are in it. Cirrhosis of this form greatly changes the structure of the organ at the cellular level, it can no longer be restored back.
The main conditions for the development of the disease include the following conditions:
- insufficiency of a tricuspid or mitral valve;
- pericarditis;
- myxomas;
- chronic pulmonary heart;
- cardiosclerosis.
The main symptoms of malaise
The most common symptoms of cardiac cirrhosis include:
- swelling of the liver;
- an increase in the size of the organ, which is very different from the established norm;
- severe dryness of the skin;
- feeling of nausea, vomiting;
- prostration;
- dyspnea;
- the development of anemia;
- bleeding in the esophagus;
- trouble sleeping
- increased aggressiveness, frequent mood swings;
- feeling of malaise, anemia, shortness of breath;
- on the external wall of the abdominal cavity a venous network is visible;
- severe changes in body temperature;
- active growth of the spleen;
- skin rashes and other spots.
Form of the disease
Cardinal cirrhosis of the liver differs from other varieties of cirrhosis. To determine the disease, the doctor gently presses on the right hypochondrium. If the disease provoked a cardiogenic factor, then the veins in the neck area will significantly increase in size. On palpation, the doctor notes the large size of the organ, while it is soft to the touch, which certainly should not be. At that moment, as the size of the organ decreases, it becomes harder in structure.
Most often, in the treatment of heart failure, signs of cardiac cirrhosis quickly disappear. However, if the disease is in an advanced stage, then this kind of therapy will not help eliminate cirrhosis.
Cardiac cirrhosis cannot be completely eliminated, but treatment of the main disease will help improve a person’s condition, restore his health and reduce unpleasant symptoms.
The importance of early treatment
To prolong the patient’s life, it is important to start timely and comprehensive treatment, which will include taking medications, drawing up proper nutrition and giving up bad habits - all this will positively affect the human body and help get rid of the symptoms of the lesion. Since the human body and immune system are greatly weakened at this time, he must protect himself from various kinds of infection, since the immune system simply cannot cope with them on its own.
Non-specific symptoms of the disease
Nonspecific symptoms, as their name implies, do not speak directly about liver disease, but their presence is very important and helps the specialist identify the degree of development of the disease. These include:
- vomiting blood
- red palms and raspberry tongue;
- yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, which provokes the appearance of severe itching;
- bursting of vessels on the body and face;
- swelling or pastility of the lower leg;
- swelling of the joints;
- deposition of lipids near the eyes;
- problems with stool (diarrhea or constipation);
- a feeling of bitterness in the oral cavity;
- general exhaustion of the body;
- lack of vitamins and nutrients in the body;
- male breast enlargement (development of gynecomastia);
- male sexual weakness, menstruation problems in women.
Cardiac cirrhosis of the liver has its own characteristics, which greatly distinguish it from other diseases from this group. The basis is the defeat of the cardiovascular system.
It is very important to timely identify a developing disease, which over time can progress and lead to more dangerous forms and complications.
How many live with cardiac cirrhosis of the liver? A period of 15 years is considered to be good survival in this disease, if cirrhosis with ascites is added to it, then the life time is significantly reduced.
Basic diagnostic measures
Most often, in this condition, to establish an accurate diagnosis, the doctor prescribes:
- clinical blood test: an increase in ESR, a lack of hemoglobin and red blood cells, a large number of white blood cells in the blood, the leukocyte formula in this condition will shift to the left;
- conducting a general blood test: the study reveals the amount of protein in the body, the number of red blood cells in the field of vision, and also the number of cylinders;
- blood biochemistry: an increase in alkaline phosphatase, a decrease in the amount of protein, an increase in the values of the thymol sample, a decrease in the values of the sublimate sample, a lack of cholesterol and urea in the body;
- immunological blood examination: increased sensitivity of T-lymphocytes to renal specific lipoprotein;
- hemostasiogram: an increase in prothrombin time;
- Ultrasound of the liver: a large liver, in which there are nodes of various sizes, as well as an area with necrotic lesion;
- diagnostic laparoscopy will help determine the exact type of cirrhosis: macro-or micronodal;
- puncture biopsy of the liver, which will help confirm the diagnosis;
- a radioisotope scan of the liver will help to identify the type of changes and the severity of violations of the organ;
- FGDS will help determine the varicose veins of the esophagus.
Disease treatment
If we talk about the treatment of the disease, it is important to remember that the main goal of such a procedure is to eliminate heart disease, and the secondary goal is to support the body and restore its condition.
Cardiac cirrhosis of the liver will directly depend on the state of the cardiovascular system. The first thing to do is to start a healthy lifestyle, refuse to drink alcohol, smoke, make proper nutrition.
It is important to remember that in a sick person the immune defense is greatly reduced, which requires avoiding hypothermia and contact with airborne infections.
If we take into account the fact that the body at this time is heavily overloaded and cannot perform its basic functions of processing and removing harmful components from the body, then detoxification procedures are important.
Drug treatment
Treatment of cardiac cirrhosis is carried out by:
- Blood pressure improvements. Reception of Ramipril, Enalapril and Captopril. If liver failure is present simultaneously with this disease, then you should start taking "Fosinopril", which provides a double elimination of harmful components. In case of liver failure, "Lisinopril" is taken without fail. If you are intolerant of this group, you should start taking beta-blockers.
- Diuretic support for the body: Eplerenone and Spironolactone. In the presence of severe swelling and the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the body, you need to start taking "Torasemide" and "Hydrochlorothiazide", if such funds do not bring the desired effect, then start an additional intake of "Acetazolamide".
- If you have unpleasant pain, you should take "Isorbide Mononitrate" (prolonged)
- In some cases, the doctor prescribes valve replacement, a heart transplant, and bypass surgery.
Cirrhosis elimination
Fighting cirrhosis of the liver:
- cessation of the use of drugs that carry a toxic effect on the body;
- branched chain amino acids, if silymarin is formed in the body;
- in the presence of severe cholestasis - ademetionin;
- ascites remains with cardiac cirrhosis;
- elimination of bacterial peritonitis;
- in severe stages of kidney damage - stop taking medications that require excretion by the kidneys;
- start taking vascular drugs;
- to remove all toxic substances from the body, you should start taking "Lactulose".
Getting rid of varicose veins of the esophagus:
- drugs that have an active effect on the state of blood vessels;
- compensation for the amount of lost blood - red blood cell transfusion;
- taking antibiotics;
- tamponade of bleeding veins through a balloon.
Proper nutrition
Diet is an important component of therapy. It is important that the right amount of nutrient components enter the human body and maintain balance: protein - 20 grams per 10 kg, fats - 5 grams per 10 kilograms (vegetable and animal in the same proportion). Salt should be avoided from the diet, as it provokes water retention and leads to swelling.
Any junk food is prohibited (fried, spicy, smoked foods). Do not eat large meals. In the treatment of cardiac cirrhosis of the liver, nutrition should be fractional and in small quantities.