Modeling Young and Adult Patients with Cirrhosis through a Three Element Windkessel (WK3e)

Abstract

Introduction: Measurement of hemodynamic parameters constitutes an important tool in the management of patients with cirrhosis. In recent years, non-invasive measurements have gain attention, due to the potential complications associated to invasive procedures. Objective: To characterize the hemodynamic alterations of cirrhosis in young and adult subjects, through a three element windkessel (WK3e). Methods: Individuals were divided in three age groups: Young Healthy group (control, CG), Young Cirrhotic Group (YCG) and Adult Cirrhotic Group (ACG). A Finapres® Nova device was used to obtain cardiac output (CO), heart rate and arterial blood pressure. Systemic arterial compliance (C), peripheral resistance (R) and characteristic impedance (ZC) were also provided. Effective arterial elastance (Ea), left ventricular work (LVW), input impedance, efficiency and model cutoff frequency (WKCF) were assessed based on the provided data. Results: CO resulted to be higher in ACG than in CG and YGC. LVW, C and WKCF showed an increase, while R and Ea showed a decrease. However, this behavior was not observed in YCG. Conclusion: Cirrhosis was properly modeled in young and adult subjects in terms of non-invasive measurements and a WK3e.