Hemodynamic Changes of the Hepatic Veins in Liver Cirrhosis evaluated with Pulsed Doppler Sonography

To study intrahepatic hemodynamics in liver cirrhosis, diameter, mean velocity, pulsatility index and waveform of the right, middle and left hepatic veins were analyzed in the normal and cirrhotic liver with pulsed Doppler ultrasound equipment. Thirty-three patients with histologically proven lever cirrhosis were studied. Forty-two patients with no history of liver disease were also studies as a control group. The right and left hepatic veins of the cirrhotic liver showed significantly smaller diameter, higher mean velocity and lower value of pulsatility index. Compared with the normal liver, the cirrhotic liver showed a low incidence of triphasic wave as well as a high incidence of biphasic wave in the right and left hepatic veins. In the middle hepatic vein, however, no difference in the waveform was noted between the normal and the cirrhotic liver. Pulsed Dopper ultrasound examination of the right and left hepatic veins is useful for evaluating hemodynamic cyanges in liver cirrhosis.

Doppler studies

Hepatic veins

Liver cirrhosis

Ultrasound