Liver Fibrosis Biomarkers Predict Mortality in Complex Cardiac Patients
A new study in *Heart* investigates the prognostic value of non-invasive liver disease biomarkers in adults with Fontan circulation, a complex congenital heart condition. The retrospective analysis of 334 patients found that elevated scores on four key biomarkers—FibroSURE, APRI, FIB-4, and MELD-XI—were all significantly associated with an increased hazard of death or transplant. Notably, a FibroSURE score above 0.74 was linked to a more than threefold increased risk, highlighting the critical interplay between liver health and long-term survival in this high-risk patient population.
Why it might matter to you: For critical care specialists managing patients with multi-organ failure or complex hemodynamics, this research underscores the importance of hepatic function as a prognostic marker. Integrating these accessible, non-invasive liver fibrosis scores into risk stratification protocols could enhance the monitoring of patients with congenital heart disease or those on long-term extracorporeal support. It provides a data-driven approach to identifying individuals at the highest risk for deterioration, potentially informing earlier intervention and candidacy discussions for advanced therapies like transplantation.
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