Significantly Elevated Liver Alkaline Phosphatase in Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

Congestive hepatopathy can have a mildly elevated liver profile, which should normalize with appropriate therapy. Liver specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in decompensated heart failure (HF) can be mildly elevated. The levels exceeding beyond the expected rise should be a concern and lead to further investigation. The literature reports insubstantial number of cases regarding significantly elevated levels of ALP and congestive hepatopathy. We report a case of a 45-year-old female with known history of severe cardiomyopathy that had persistently elevated levels of ALP. The extensive workup was negative for any specific pathology. The liver biopsy was consistent with congestive hepatopathy. The patients ALP levels decreased with aggressive diuretic therapy but still remained elevated.




Gastroenterology Research. 2014;7(2):64-68
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/gr600w