Somatostatin and ventricular function in liver cirrhosis
De la Villa, F.M.; Solano López, D.; Bóveda, J.; Urrengoetxea, J.; Martínez Odriozola, P.; Bilbao Goitia, P.; Franco Vicario, R.
Revista Clinica Espanola 186(2): 58-62
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-2565 PMID: 1970439 Document Number: 362946
Left ventricular function is studied in cirrhotic patients and in patients with alcoholic hepatitis by means of isotopic ventriculography (Tc99m) both in basal conditions and after the i.v. injection of a somatostatin bolus (250 mcg). The results obtained are compared to those of conventional hemodynamics. Basal ventricular function is normal in both groups and somatostatin induces a significant decrease (p less than 0.001) in heart rate (74 + 12 vs 67 + 11 bpm), ejection fraction (60 + 6 vs 57 + 65) and maximal ejection rate (-3.3 + 0.4 vs -2.0 + 0.3) in patients and normal controls respectively. The hormone induces a significant increase (p less than 0.01) in telediastolic pressure of the left ventricle (8.1 + 4 vs 21 + 7 mmHg) with no change in systemic resistance. The results suggest that somatostatin has a negative inotropic effect on the heart as well as causing bradycardia.