Elevated Arterial Compliance in Patients with Cirrhosis Is Not Related to Arterial Endothelin-1

Abstract

Background: Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension have a hyperkinetic systemic circulation. A number of circulating vasoactive peptides, including endothelin-1 (ET-1), are elevated and, recently, increased arterial compliance has been described in these patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate a potential relation between altered arterial compliance and arterial ET-1 in patients with cirrhosis. As ET-1 may be manipulated by somastostatin, the study includes infusion of octreotide in a subset of patients. Methods: A total of 67 patients with cirrhosis and 27 controls were studied during a haemodynamic investigation. Arterial ET-1 was determined by two different radioimmunoassays and arterial compliance was determined as the stroke volume/pulse pressure index. Results: Arterial compliance was elevated by 32%-40% in the cirrhotic patients as compared to the controls ( P < 0.005). Arterial ET-1 was elevated by 26%-170% in the cirrhotic patients ( P < 0.001). No significant relationships could be established between arterial compliance and arterial ET-1 ( r = -0.15 to 0.23, ns). Intravenous bolus injection and infusion of octreotide (100 μg + 100 μg/h, n = 9) did not significantly change either arterial compliance or arterial ET-1. Conclusion: Both arterial compliance and arterial ET-1 are substantially elevated in patients with cirrhosis, but there is no significant relation between arterial compliance and arterial ET-1 in these patients.

• Arterial Compliance
• Circulatory Dysfunction
• Cirrhosis
• Endothelin-1
• Endothelin-3
• Vasoconstrictors