Echocardiography in liver transplant candidates

Abstract

Cardiovascular complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage liver disease undergoing liver transplantation (LT). Cardiac imaging plays an integral role in the assessment of LT candidates. Echocardiography remains the most commonly utilized technique. In this review, we discuss the role of echocardiography in non-invasive pre-operative assessment of coronary artery disease, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, hepatopulmonary syndrome, portopulmonary hypertension, left ventricular outfl ow tract obstruction, pericardial effusions.

Keywords

• liver transplantation
• echocardiography
• pre-opera