IMPAIRED CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSIVENESS IN LIVER DISEASE

Cardiovascular responsiveness to reflex autonomic stimulation was significantly impaired in patients with cirrhosis compared with control subjects. Peripheral vascular responses to exogenous noradrenaline were also impaired in cirrhotic patients, but peripheral vascular responses to infused adrenaline and to angiotensin II were similar in both groups. Impaired cardiovascular reactivity in patients with chronic liver disease could preidspose them to circulatory failure after hæmorrhage or surgery and should be considered when prescribing drugd which affect autonomic activity.