Cardiac liver refers to a medical condition characterized by an enlarged and congested liver, which is primarily caused by chronic heart disease. The term "cardiac" pertains to the heart, while "liver" refers to the vital organ responsible for numerous metabolic functions in the body. In the context of cardiac liver, the liver undergoes structural and functional changes due to the impaired blood flow caused by heart failure.
When the heart fails to pump blood effectively, blood can accumulate in the liver, leading to congestion and swelling. This congestion occurs because the liver receives about 25% of its blood supply directly from the heart. As the heart's ability to pump blood diminishes, pressure within the liver increases, causing blood to back up and accumulate within the hepatic veins and sinusoids.
The congested liver in cardiac liver may appear enlarged, tend to be heavier than normal, and display an impaired ability to perform its vital functions. Symptoms of cardiac liver often resemble those of liver disease, including fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain or discomfort, and fluid retention. Diagnosis is typically achieved through a combination of medical history assessment, physical examination, blood tests, imaging techniques (such as ultrasound or CT scan), and cardiac function evaluation.
The management of cardiac liver generally revolves around addressing the underlying heart condition. Treatment may involve medication to improve heart function, diuretics to reduce fluid accumulation, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes. In severe cases, liver transplantation may be considered.
