Left atrial dysfunction is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with cirrhosis treated by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

The present study aimed to investigate (1) the association between left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), graded according to the algorithm proposed by the Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium, and long‐term survival in patients with cirrhosis undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and (2) the additive prognostic value of left atrial (LA) function, as assessed by LA reservoir strain, using two‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE). A total of 129 TIPS candidates (mean ± SD, 61 ± 12 years; 61% men) underwent a comprehensive preprocedural echocardiography. LA dysfunction was defined by LA reservoir strain ≤35%, based on a previously suggested cut‐off value. The outcome was all‐cause mortality after TIPS. In the current cohort, 65 (50%) patients had normal diastolic function, 26 (20%) patients had grade 1 LVDD, 21 (16%) patients had grade 2 LVDD, and 17 (13%) patients had indeterminate diastolic function. Additionally, LA dysfunction (based on LA reservoir strain ≤35%) was noted in 67 (52%) patients. After a median follow‐up of 36 months (range, 12–80), 65 (50%) patients died. All‐cause mortality rates increased along worse grades of LVDD (log‐rank p = 0.007) and with LA dysfunction (log‐rank p = 0.001). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score (hazard ratio [HR],1.06; p = 0.003), hemoglobin (HR, 0.74; p = 0.022), and LA strain, expressed as a continuous variable (HR, 0.96; p = 0.005) were independently associated with all‐cause mortality. Notably, the addition of LA strain to the model provided incremental prognostic value over the established prognostic variables (delta χ2 = 8.27, p = 0.004). Conclusion: LA dysfunction assessed with 2D‐STE is independently associated with all‐cause mortality in patients with cirrhosis treated by TIPS. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), graded according to the algorithm proposed by the Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium, and left atrial (LA) reservoir strain are independently associated with long‐term survival in patients with cirrhosis treated by TIPS. The assessment of LA reservoir strain provides incremental prognostic value over the severity of liver disease, assessed by the MELD score, and grading of LVDD using conventional parameters.