Step I Cirrhosis

[GomerPyle]

Hi all,

Uworld refers to a lot of the symptoms in cirrhosis as due to high output heart failure. Can someone explain to me why cirrhosis causes high output heart failure?

Thanks guys.

 

[DerpStore]

Not sure but I think portal hypertension leads to splanchnic vasodilation which causes a degree of hypotension and decreased GFR which causes increased fluid retention and hyponatremia (hepatorenal syndrome). The portal hypertension might also lead to intrahepatic and other arteriovenous shunts which could also contribute to the high output heart failure. There are probably other causes as well.