Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with liver cirrhosis

ObjectivesTo investigate the exercise performance and cardiorespiratory efficiency in patients with liver cirrhosis.BackgroundLiver cirrhosis is a very common disease in Egypt especially post hepatitis type, it affects the quality of life and daily performance. It is associated with hypoxemia and impaired oxygen consumption.MethodsThis study was conducted on 30 patients of liver cirrhosis and 10 healthy subjects (control group), they were selected from the Menoufia University Hospital. All subjects were subjected to clinical history, clinical examination, plain chest-X-ray, blood sample for: complete blood picture, liver function tests, prothrombin time, abdominal ultrasonography and pulmonary function tests (spirometry) and cardiopulmonary exercise tests.ResultsThe results of this study revealed a significant reduction of most parameters of exercise test and pulmonary function tests in cirrhotic group versus the control group. Prevalence of exercise impairment increased with the increase of the severity of liver cirrhosis.Conclusion(1) Cirrhotic patients have impaired exercise performance. (2) Prevalence of exercise impairment increased with the increase of the severity of liver cirrhosis.