Hypoxia and intrahepatic hemodynamic abnormalities in circulatory failure are important pathogenetic factors in the development of cardiogenic fibrosis. Glycosamine glycans and H-acetylhexosaminidase serve as markers for basic substance turnover in the connective tissue and may be used in clinical practice and as screening tests to detect liver cirrhosis. Haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin act as protectors to stabilise the fibrogenesis of nutmeg liver and exert an immunomodulating action. Glutamate dehydrogenase levels may be employed as an early diagnostic criterion for assessing hepatocytic dysfunction caused by hypoxia in patients with heart failure.