The paler areas are unaffected surrounding liver tissue. When severe and longstanding, hepatic congestion can lead to fibrosis; if congestion is due to right heart failure, it is called cardiac cirrhosis.
Areas of the liver that are not affected by congestion appear lighter. If congestion persists for a long time, it can lead to scarring (fibrosis). When this is due to right heart failure, it is known as cardiac cirrhosis.