To investigate the correlation between serum Syndecan-1 level and cardiac function and severity of cirrhosis in patients with cardiogenic cirrhosis (CC).

A total of 139 patients with chronic congestive heart failure admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University from January 2022 to October 2024 were retrospectively selected as the research objects. The patients were divided into CC group (n=42) and non-CC group (n=97) according to whether they were complicated with liver cirrhosis. Baseline data of patients were collected, and serum Syndecan-1 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pearson/Spearman coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between serum Syndecan-1 level and echocardiographic parameters [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), mitral early diastolic inflow velocity/mitral late diastolic inflow velocity (E/A)] and cardiac function indicators [cardiac troponin I (cTnI), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB)] and liver function [model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, Child-Pugh score] in CC patients.

There were significant differences between the two groups of patients in terms of blood ammonia, total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), echocardiogram parameters (LVEF, LVFS, E/A), cardiac function indicators (cTnI, NT-pro BNP, CK-MB) (all P<0.05). Serum Syndecan-1 level was negatively correlated with LVEF, LVFS and E/A (r=-0.692, r=-0.580, r=-0.695, all P<0.001). Serum Syndecan-1 levels was positively correlated with cTnI, NT-pro BNP and CK-MB (r=0.458, r=0.349, r=0.473, all P<0.001). Serum Syndecan-1 level was positively correlated with MELD and Child-Pugh scores (r=0.457, r=0.693, all P<0.001).

Serum Syndecan-1 level is significantly increased in patients with CC, and its change is closely related to cardiac function and the severity of cirrhosis. In clinical diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to pay attention to the changes in serum Syndecan-1 levels.