Value of point quantitative elastography in assessment of liver elastic modulus in patients with chronic heart failure

Objective To evaluate the value of point quantitative elastography (ElastPQ) in the assessment of liver elastic modulus in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods This study included 58 patients with CHF who were treated at the PLA 305 Hospital from November 2017 to November 2018. According to the 2014 Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure, these patients were divided into three groups: left heart failure (LHF) group, n=24 (17 males and 7 females, aged 50-58 years); right heart failure (RHF) group, n=14 (9 males and 5 females, aged 43-85 years); and whole heart failure (WHF) group, n=20 (13 males and 7 females, aged 44-86 years). In addition, 30 healthy volunteers whose basic data matched the case group were selected as controls (all had no previous history of liver injury). All subjects were tested by ElastPQ for liver elastic modulus. Routine echocardiography was performed and relevant parameters were recorded. The values of liver elastic modulus and other relevant parameters were statistically analyzed. Results Compared with the control group, the liver elastic modulus increased in the LHF group, and it was more significant in the RHF group and the WHF group [(4.2±0.9) kPa, (6.1±0.8)kPa, (10.1±4.3) kPa, and (12.3±4.8) kPa, respectively; t=0-0.004, P<0.05]. Compared with the LHF group, the elastic modulus of the RHF group and the WHF group increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the RHF group, the elastic modulus of the WHF group significantly increased (t=0.033, P<0.05). Conclusions ElastPQ can be used to quantify the impact of CHF on the liver. The liver elastic modulus of patients with moderate or severe CHF is generally higher than that inhealthy subjects, and the liver elastic modulus in RHF and WHF patients are the highest. Although routine echocardiography of the liver in patients with LHF is normal, the liver elastic modulus is still higher than that in healthy subjects. Key words: Heart failure; Liver elastic modulus; Elastography point quantification