Can portal vein pulsatility index be used as predictive parameter with hepatic artery resistive index for liver fibrosis in nonalcoholic hepatosteatosis?

Abstract

Aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical entity with a broad spectrum of isolated liver steatosis, steatohepatitis and even cirrhosis. In the development of hepatitis or cirrhosis, flow changes in the hepatic artery and portal vein may be detected. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of the changes in hemodynamic findings according to the steatosis grade in patients with nonalcoholic hepatosteatosis. Materials and Methods: the study was performed with B-mode and Doppler ultrasonographic (US) measurements of patients who applied to the radiology department for abdominal ultrasonography examination between February and September 2018. Hepatic artery resistive index (HARI) and portal vein pulsatility index (PVPI) were evaluated. Thirty patients without steatosis and 30 patients from each 3 hepatosteatosis grade were included into the study. As the criteria for inclusion of patients in the study, there was no history of additional disease. p<0.05 values were considered statistically significant. Results: HARI was significantly lower in grade 3 steatosis than the control group, grade 1 and 2 steatosis (p<0.05). In grade 3 steatosis, portale vein diameter was significantly wider than the control group, grade 1 and 2 steatosis (p<0.05). PVPI was significantly lower in grade 2 steatosis than the control group and grade 1 steatosis (p<0.05). Significant hemodynamic changes were detected in the hepatic artery and portal vein when compared with control and patients groups. Conclusion: The evaluation of PVPI is considered as a noninvasive valuable method as if HARI in the evaluation of liver parenchymal damage in NAFLD.