Portal Vein Hemodynamics Research Articles

Portal vein arterialization in 25 liver transplant recipients: A Latin American single-center experience.

Portal vein arterialization (PVA) has been used in liver transplantation (LT) to maximize oxygen delivery when arterial circulation is compromised or has been used as an alternative reperfusion technique for complex portal vein thrombosis (PVT). The effect of PVA on portal perfusion and primary graft dysfunction (PGD) has not been assessed. To examine the outcomes of patients who required PVA in correlation with their LT procedure. All patients receiving PVA and LT at the Fundacion Santa Fe de Bogota between 2011 and 2022 were analyzed. To account for the time-sensitive effects of graft perfusion, patients were classified into two groups: prereperfusion (pre-PVA), if the arterioportal anastomosis was performed before graft revascularization, and postreperfusion (post-PVA), if PVA was performed afterward. The pre-PVA rationale contemplated poor portal hemodynamics, severe vascular steal, or PVT. Post-PVA was considered if graft hypoperfusion became evident. Conservative interventions were attempted before PVA. A total of 25 cases were identified: 15 before and 10 after graft reperfusion. Pre-PVA patients were more affected by diabetes, decompensated cirrhosis, impaired portal vein (PV) hemodynamics, and PVT. PGD was less common after pre-PVA (20.0% vs 60.0%) (P = 0.041). Those who developed PGD had a smaller increase in PV velocity (25.00 cm/s vs 73.42 cm/s) (P = 0.036) and flow (1.31 L/min vs 3.34 L/min) (P = 0.136) after arterialization. Nine patients required PVA closure (median time: 62 d). Pre-PVA and non-PGD cases had better survival rates than their counterparts (56.09 months vs 22.77 months and 54.15 months vs 31.91 months, respectively). This is the largest report presenting PVA in LT. Results suggest that pre-PVA provides better graft perfusion than post-PVA. Graft hyperperfusion could play a protective role against PGD.

4D Flow MRI of Portal Vein Hemodynamics in Healthy Volunteers and Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

To identify age-matched healthy volunteers, non-cirrhotic chronic liver disease (CLD) and cirrhotic patients based on portal hemodynamic parameters using 4D flow MRI. A total of 10 age-matched healthy volunteers and 69 CLD patients were enrolled and underwent 4D flow MRI prospectively. 4D flow MR images were processed by an MD in biomedical engineering working on the GTFlow platform. Portal hemodynamic parameters include net flow (mL/cycle), flow volume per second through the lumen (mL/sec), average flow velocity (cm/sec), and maximum flow velocity (cm/sec). The difference in portal hemodynamic parameters of 4D flow MRI was compared among healthy volunteers, non-cirrhotic CLD patients and patients with cirrhosis by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test and post hoc tests. 10 CLD patients without cirrhosis and 56 patients with cirrhosis were eventually included, along with 10 healthy volunteers who were divided into three groups. 3 patients with cirrhosis whose image quality did not meet the requirements were excluded. There were no significant differences in portal hemodynamic parameters among the three groups except portal average velocity (P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in all portal hemodynamic parameters of 4D flow MRI between healthy volunteers and patients with cirrhosis (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in portal average velocity between non-cirrhotic CLD patients, healthy volunteers and patients with cirrhosis, respectively (11.44±3.93 vs 8.10±2.66, P=0.013; 11.44±3.93 vs 8.60±2.22, P=0.007). Portal average velocity obtained by 4D flow MRI can be an auxiliary means to identify cirrhosis in patients with CLD.

Investigating the Correlation between Liver Ultrasound pSWE and Portal Vein Hemodynamics: Preliminary Findings

Introduction:: Portal vein size and hemodynamics can be altered in patients with portal hypertension. Elastography for liver stiffness has been proposed as a potential predictor of portal hypertension. However, the relationship between liver stiffness measured using point shear wave elastography (pSWE) and portal vein diameter and Doppler parameters remains unclear. Therefore, this observational study aimed to investigate the correlation between liver ultrasound pSWE and portal vein hemodynamics in healthy participants. Methods:: Twenty-five healthy men with no underlying medical conditions and who were not on regular medications were enrolled in the study. Liver stiffness, portal vein diameter, and Doppler parameters were measured using ultrasound EPIQ Elite with a curved-array transducer (C5-1 MHz) equipped with pSWE and Doppler imaging. Real-time pSWE measurements were taken from the liver. Portal vein diameter and Doppler parameters were measured in a longitudinal view of the extra-hepatic segment. Spearman correlation was used to assess the association between liver pSWE and portal vein diameter as well as Doppler parameters, with a significance level set at < 0.05. Results:: There was no significant correlation between liver stiffness and portal vein diameter (p = 0.67) or Doppler parameters, including peak systolic velocity (p = 0.89), end-diastolic velocity (p = 0.65), and resistive index (p = 0.86). Conclusion:: Our findings suggest no direct correlation between liver stiffness measured using pSWE and portal vein hemodynamics in healthy adults. Further studies are warranted to investigate the relationship between liver pSWE and the hemodynamics of portal veins in patients with liver diseases.

The Early Initiation of Perioperative Anticoagulation Therapy in Cirrhotic Patients with Portal Hypertension After Laparoscopic Splenectomy Plus Esophagogastric Devascularization: A 10-Year Single-Center Experience.

Background: Portal veinous system thrombosis (PVST) is a common complication after laparoscopic splenectomy plus esophagogastric devascularization (LSED). Anticoagulation therapy was still in debate in LSED perioperation. This study aimed to determine the postoperative risk factors of PVST, the efficacy and safety of the anticoagulation therapy after LSED procedure, and the potential impact of anticoagulation on patients' liver function and overall survival (OS). Methods: Three hundred patients who underwent LSED were retrospectively enrolled and analyzed in the study. The characteristics of patients, perioperative parameters, risk of PVST, and long-term follow-up data were recorded and analyzed. Results: One hundred eighty six of 300 patients received perioperative anticoagulation therapy (p-AT) postoperation, while 114 patients did not receive p-AT (non-p-AT). The non-p-AT group had more intraoperative blood loss, PVST, longer abdominal drain days, and postoperative hospital stays separately compared with the p-AT group. No significant difference of postoperative complications was found between the two groups. In the 1-year follow-up postoperation, both groups had great improvement in hypersplenism and the portal vein hemodynamics. During the 10-year follow-up period, the incidence of PVST was significantly higher in the non-p-AT group than in the p-AT group. Anticoagulation therapy, sex, variceal hemorrhage history, portal vein diameter, and portal vein velocity were the independent prognostic factors determined by the Cox regression analysis for PVST. The thrombosis-free survival rate (P = .002), recurrent hemorrhage-free survival rate (P < .01), and the OS rate (P < .01) were significantly lower in the non-p-AT group than in the p-AT group. Conclusions: The initiate use of anticoagulation therapy in postoperation of LSED is effective and safe in cirrhotic patients. The anticoagulation therapy after LSED will help decrease portal vein thrombosis, the rebleeding rate, and extend the OS of the patients, especially among women, with variceal hemorrhage history, high portal vein diameter, and low portal vein velocity.

Do the stent blind insertion into the main portal vein (MPV) and stent diameter influence the surgical outcome of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)?

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) surgery is a clinical intervention to treat portal hypertension (PH) by deploying a covered stent to establish a shunt path for the portal vein (PV) system, and proper surgical strategy is of great importance to balance the shunt effect and the risk of complications. To understand the clinical strategies of the stent blind insertion and stent selection in clinic, this study investigated the effects of varying stent insertion positions and diameters on the PV hemodynamics and the shunt effect by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of five post-TIPS subjects. The results showed that the successful TIPS surgeries of the five PH subjects were confirmed by quantifying their pressure drops. The stent insertion positions at the main portal vein (MPV) slightly affected the clinically concerned hemodynamic indexes (i.e., MPV pressure, stent-outlet velocity) and the shunt index (SI). This indicated that the position of the stent going into the MPV may not need to be deliberately selected. Moreover, the covered stents with 6 mm and 8 mm diameters slightly influenced the hemodynamics as well, but the large-diameter stent better improved the shunt effect compared to the small-diameter one. Despite this, the 6 mm stent was suggested thanks to the higher risk of the hepatic encephalopathy (HE) observed in clinic, which indicated the excessive shunt of the 8 mm stent. The current work revealed the effects of different TIPS strategies on the surgical outcome, and could be useful for potential clinical practices.

Hepatic Artery and Portal Vein Hemodynamics in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adult Saudi Patients: A Doppler Ultrasound Study

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing public health problem. With the growing severity of NAFLD, there are considerable alterations in the hemodynamics of the hepatic circulation that might affect the prognosis of the condition, according to numerous reports written to assess the vasculature of the liver in patients affected with fatty liver disease. The aim of the study was to examine hemodynamic alterations in the hepatic artery (HA) and portal vein (PV) in NAFLD patients and determine how they relate to the severity of the condition, and to classify patients into various categories of NAFLD and connect the results to liver size and body mass index (BMI). Methods and Results: One hundred and six diagnosed NAFLD patients who attended the Imaging department at King Fahad Hospital from December 2019 to January 2020 were retrospectively studied. The mean age of the patients was 45.75±15.6 years, with a range of 10-79 years. The patients were examined by a TOSHIBA Xario, SSA-660A ultrasound system utilizing a multifrequency convex transducer (2–5 MHz) for all sonographic exams. B-mode assessed the liver parenchyma, and spectral Doppler estimated the HA and PV. The US appearance of hepatosteatosis, according to the severity of echogenicity, was graded (0-3). Most participants were asymptomatic (76.4%), and diabetes and diabetes with hypertension were diagnosed in 12.3% and 11.3%, respectively. It was observed that grade 1 hepatosteatosis was more prevalent than the other grades: 54 cases versus 41 cases for grade 2 and 11 cases for grade 3. The mean values of liver size and BMI in grade 3 were higher than in grade 1 (P=0.0033 and P=0.0054, respectively). A Spearman test found that the liver size (R=0.19, P=0.05) and BMI (R=0.26, P=0.01) had weak positive, but statistically significant, correlations with the severity of the hepatosteatosis grade. Doppler indices of the HA and PV in NAFLD patients did not differ significantly in hepatosteatosis grades 1-3. Only the PSV and EDV of the main PV showed a significant decrease in the hepatosteatosis grade 2 compared to grade 1 (P=0.0065 and P=0.0234, respectively). Despite the insignificant differences, the Doppler flow parameters of the HA decreased with the severity of hepatic steatosis; for example, the hepatic artery resistive index (HARI) was 0.77±0.16 in grade 1, 0.72±0.16 in grade 2, and 0.75±0.10 in grade 3, respectively. The hepatic artery pulsatility index (HAPI) was 1.62±49 in grade 1, 1.63±.68 in grade 2, and 1.74±0.77 in grade 3. There was also a trend toward a decrease in PSV and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) of HA with the severity of hepatosteatosis. Conclusion: The severity of hepatic steatosis is significantly correlated with liver size and BMI. The blood flow parameters of PV and HA decrease with the severity of hepatic steatosis except for the pulsatility index.

The effect of splenic vein diameter on the diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis.

It was still controversial that whether the increase of splenic vein (SV) diameter increased the risk of portal vein thrombosis (PVT), which was a severe disease with high mortality, in the clinic. This study, using computational fluid dynamics method, aimed to investigate how the increase of SV diameter affects the portal vein hemodynamics under different anatomical and geometric features of the portal venous system, thus how it induced to PVT. The ideal models of the portal system, including different anatomical structures according to the location of left gastric vein (LGV) and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV), and different geometric morphological parameters models were established to carry out numerical simulation in this study. In addition, the morphological parameters of real patients were measured to verify the numerical simulation results. First, the wall shear stress (WSS) and helicity intensity, which were closely related to the occurrence of thrombosis, gradually decreased with the increase of SV diameter in all models. However, the degree of decrease was bigger in following models: (1) the models with LGV and IMV linking to SV compared with them linking to PV; (2) the models with big angle of PV and SV compared with small angle. In addition, the morbidity of PVT was higher when LGV and IMV linked to SV rather than them linked to PV in the real patients. Moreover, the angle of PV and SV was also different between PVT and non-PVT patients (125.53°±16.90° vs. 115.03°±16.10°, p=0.01). Whether the increase of SV diameter will result in PVT is depended on the anatomical structure of portal system and the angle between PV and SV, this is also the reason leading to the clinical controversy that the increase of SV diameter is the risk factor of PVT.

Comparison of portal vein hemodynamics with ultrasound-based elastography for the prediction of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease

Chronic liver disease includes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, progresses from steatosis and hepatitis to fibrosis and cirrhosis, with hemodynamic changes in portal blood flow. This study aimed to compare portal vein hemodynamics with liver stiffness (LS) and steatosis and included 28 subjects with chronic liver disease, in whom LS and steatosis were evaluated in the same image employing two elastography techniques: transient elastography (TE) with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) using a FibroScan and two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) with attenuation imaging (ATI). Additionally, peak maximum velocity (Vmax) of the right portal vein and spleen stiffness with 2D-SWE were evaluated. A strong positive correlation was present between LS values obtained with TE and 2D-SWE and between the attenuation coefficients of steatosis obtained with CAP and ATI. Additionally, a negative correlation was present between LS values and the Vmax of the right portal vein (r = 0.415, p = 0.031). The optimal Vmax cutoff value for discriminating liver fibrosis with an LS value of > 5 kPa was < 17 cm/s; the ability of Vmax to predict fibrosis was comparable to that of the FIB4-index. Low Vmax of the right portal vein was useful for identifying liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.

Age-related changes of rats portal vein hemodynamics and morphometry

Introduction. Age-related changes of blood flow parameters and hepatic portal vein wall morphometry are one of the topical and insufficiently investigated issues of liver hemodynamics. The aim was to study changes of portal hemodynamics and to analyze the portal vein wall morphometry of rats at different age periods. Materials and methods. 60 mongrel rats of both sexes weighing 120–350 g were divided into three age groups. The first group included 20 rats aged 1 month, the second – 20 rats aged 6–12 months and the third – 20 rats aged more than 18–24 months. The qualitative and quantitative portal vein hemodynamics parameters were obtained by ultrasound scanners under zoletil-xylazine anesthesia. Morphometric examination of the portal vein was performed. Digital data were processed by methods of variational statistics. Results. The diameter of the portal vein in groups II and III was greater than the corresponding parameter in group I (R = – 0.40 and R = 0.64, respectively). The time-averaged average blood flow rate in the II age group increased by 9.11 % compared to the I group, decreased by 10.43 % in the III group (the differences are statistically unreliable). The volumetric blood flow rate increased moderately in age groups II and III compared to group I (by 13.07 and 11.13 %, respectively; the difference is statistically unreliable). The ratio of the volumetric blood flow rate to the weight of the animal in the II age group increased by 3.85 % compared to the I group, decreased by 11.54 % in the III group (the differences are statistically unreliable). Since the mass of animals significantly increased with age, the portal vein volumetric blood flow of old animals is likely to be decreased. Mature and old rats demonstrated significant decrease of the muscle membrane thickness, the Kernogan index and the width of the collagen layer. Conclusion. Age-related changes of rats portal hemodynamics resulted in a slight reliable increase of portal vein diameter and its cross-sectional area. Linear and volumetric parameters of blood flow were found not to have statistically reliable dependence on the age and weight of animals. Morphometric parameters of the rats portal vein wall were revealed to have pronounced changes in different age groups. The aging of the portal vein wall of elder rats consisted in a significant decrease of the muscle membrane thickness, the Kernogan index and the width of the collagen layer.

Long-term efficacy and risk factors for stent occlusion in portal vein stent placement: a multi-institutional retrospective study

BackgroundSurgical treatment for PV (portal vein) stenosis/occlusion can pose a fatal risk of massive bleeding from severe adhesions and collateral vessel formation. PV stents placement is a minimally invasive and effective procedure for PV stenosis/occlusion, but PV stents sometimes occlude. The relationship between post-stent PV hemodynamics and stent occlusion has not been thoroughly investigated. Certain precautions during PV stent placement may reduce the risk of stent occlusion. This study aimed to evaluate long-term outcomes of PV stent patency and investigate factors including PV hemodynamics associated with stent occlusion.Materials and methodsThirty-four consecutive patients with PV stenosis/occlusion who underwent PV stent placement in four institutions between December 2006 and February 2021 were retrospectively examined. The primary study endpoints were technical success, clinical success, and cumulative stent patency rate. The secondary endpoints were risk factors of stent occlusion. A univariable Cox proportional hazards model with sixteen variables was used to determine predictors of stent occlusion. Factors with p-value ≤ 0.1 in univariable analysis were included in the multivariable analysis. Alpha was set at 0.05.ResultsTechnical and clinical success rates were 88.2% and 79.4%, respectively. Six patients (17.7%) experienced stent occlusion. The cumulative stent patency rate at six months, one year, and three years was 79.1%, 79.1%, and 65.9%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, the variables with p-value ≤ 0.1 were lesion length > 4 cm, hepatofugal collateral vein visualization after stent placement, and residual stenosis > 30% after stent placement. In the multivariate analysis, residual stenosis > 30% after stent placement was significantly associated with stent occlusion (hazard ratio, 10.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–108.44; p = 0.04).ConclusionPV stent placement was technically feasible and effective in improving portal hypertension. However, stent occlusion was not uncommon. Residual stenosis > 30% after stent placement was significantly associated with stent occlusion. We should pay attention to correctly assess the range of stenosis and release the stenosis as much as possible.

Research on Portal Venous Hemodynamics and Influencing Factors of Portal Vein System Thrombosis for Wilson's Disease after Splenectomy.

ObjectiveSplenectomy is one crucial solution for hypersplenism with portal hypertension. However, portal vein system thrombosis (PVST) caused by hemodynamic changes affects the prognosis of patients. We analyze the changes in portal vein hemodynamics following splenectomy for Wilson’s disease combined with portal hypertension and the influencing factors that lead to PVST.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted, in which 237 Wilson’s disease patients with hypersplenism underwent splenectomy. The hemodynamic indices of the portal vein were monitored before surgery and on the 1st, 7th, and 14th days around surgery. The patients were divided into PVST and non-PVST groups. The clinical factors were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The Logit P was calculated according to the logistic regression prediction model, and the ROC curve for each independent factor was plotted.ResultsThe portal vein velocity, flow, and inner diameter showed a downward trend around surgery, with statistically significant differences between each time point (P < 0.01). The PVST incidence rate was 55.7%. Univariate analysis revealed that the platelet (PLT) levels on the postoperative 3rd and 7th days (P = 0.001; P < 0.001), D-dimer (D-D) on the postoperative 7th and 14th days (P = 0.002; P < 0.001), preoperative portal vein velocity, flow, diameter (P < 0.001), and splenic vein diameter (P < 0.001) were all statistically and significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression revealed a significant increase in PLT on the postoperative 7th day (OR = 1.043, 95% CI, 1.027–1.060, P < 0.001) and D-D on the postoperative 14th day (OR = 1.846, 95% CI, 1.400–2.435, P < 0.001). Preoperative portal and splenic vein diameters (OR = 1.565, 95% CI, 1.213–2.019, P = 0.001; OR = 1.671, 95% CI, 1.305–2.140, P < 0.001) were the risk factors for PVST. However, preoperative portal vein velocity and flow (OR = 0.578, 95% CI, 0.409–0.818, P = 0.002; OR = 0.987, 95% CI, 0.975–0.990, P = 0.046) were protective factors for PVST. Logit P was calculated using a logistic regression prediction model with a cut-off value of −0.32 and an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.952 with 88.61% accuracy.ConclusionsSplenectomy relieves portal hypertension by reducing the hemodynamics index. PVST is linked to multiple factors, including preoperative portal vein diameter, velocity, flow, and splenic vein diameter, especially PLT on the postoperative 7th day and D-D on the postoperative 14th day. The predictive model is accurate in predicting PVST.

Evaluation of portal vein velocity in non alcoholic fatty liver disease by Doppler ultrasound

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is being increasingly recognized as one of the major causes of chronic liver disease. It is associated with various metabolic condition including obesity and diabetes. As the incidence of diabetes and obesity is increasing every day due to change in lifestyle, the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is also increasing and so does its related chronic liver disease. Doppler ultrasound is easily available, noninvasive modality to see the hemodynamics of portal vein in various diffuse liver diseases. Our objective in our study is to show the correlation between the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and Doppler findings of portal vein. The study was conducted in Department of Radiology of College of medical sciences, Bharatpur. Total 70 participants with in group of 30-60 years were included in our study (50 patients with fatty liver disease and 20 with normal liver parenchyma). All ultrasound examination performed with the Toshiba Aplio 500 with convex array deep probe of frequency 3.5MHZ. Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over the period of one year between September 2020 to August 2021. The mean age of our patients with fatty liver was 42.1 ± 8.4 years, mean BMI was 30.6 ± 3.6 similarly mean V_min and V_max of portal vein is 20.0 ± 7.7cm/s and 24.6 ± 7.4cm/s respectively. Same way the control group without fatty liver had 40.6 ± 9.7 years mean age, 23.55 ± 4.8cm/s mean BMI, 30.05 ± 5.1cm/s mean V_min and 34 ± 5.0cm/s mean V_max. There is statistically significant difference of mean BMI (p&lt;0.001), Minimum Portal Vein Velocity (p&lt;0.001) and Maximum Portal Vein Velocity (p&lt;0.001) among the patients having fatty liver disease and not having fatty liver. Our findings suggest that patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver have lower portal venous velocities than normal healthy study participants.

A new variant of Abernethy malformation treated by transhepatic interventional closure: a case report

BackgroundCongenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) are rare vascular malformations and can be classified into extrahepatic and intrahepatic shunts. Extrahepatic CPSS, also termed Abernethy malformations are associated with severe long-term complications including portopulmonary hypertension, liver atrophy, hyperammoniemia and hepatic encephalopathy. We report a hitherto undescribed variant of Abernethy malformation requiring an innovative approach for interventional treatment.Case presentationWe describe a 31-year-old patient following surgical repair of atrioventricular septal defect at the age of 6 years. In the long-term follow-up he showed persistent pulmonary hypertension which deteriorated despite dual pulmonary vasodilative treatment. When he developed arterial desaturation and symptomatic hyperammoniemia detailed reassessment revealed as underlying cause a hitherto undescribed variant of Abernethy malformation connecting the portal vein with the right lower pulmonary vein. Following interdisciplinary discussions we opted for an interventional approach. Since the malformation was un-accessible to interventional closure via antegrade venous or retrograde arterial access, a transhepatic percutaneous puncture of the portal vein was performed. Temporary balloon occlusion of the malformation revealed only a slight increase in portal venous pressure. Interventional occlusion of the large vascular connection was achieved via this transhepatic approach by successive implantation of two large vascular occluding devices. The postinterventional course was unremarkable and both ammonia levels and arterial saturation normalized at follow-up of 12 months.ConclusionsPortal vein anomalies should be included in the differential diagnoses of pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary arterio-venous malformations. Based on careful assessment of the anatomy and testing of portal vein hemodynamics interventional therapy of complex Abernethy malformations can be performed successfully in specialized centers.

Clinical research of refractory ascites of cirrhosis treated with acupoint-penetrating needling technique of acupuncture and enema with tuihuang mixture

To observe the effects on liver function, portal hemodynamics, plasma nitric oxide (NO), intestinal endotoxin (ETM) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) treated with acupoint-penetrating needling technique of acupuncture and enema with tuihuang mixture in the patients with refractory ascites of cirrhosis. A total of 120 patients with refractory ascites of cirrhosis were divided randomly into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine western medicine treatment was applied in combination with enema with tuihuang mixture. In the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, acupoint-penetrating needling technique of acupuncture was added, Zhongwan (CV12) penetrated toward Shuifen (CV9), CV9 toward Qihai (CV6), CV6 toward Guanyuan (CV4) and CV4 toward Zhongji (CV3) respectively. The duration of treatment was 60 days in both groups. The clinical therapeutic effect was analyzed in the patients of both groups. Before and after treatment, the changes in body mass, abdominal circumference, 24 h urine output/week, maximum depth of dark area of ascites, liver function indicators, portal vein hemodynamics, plasma NO, ETM and IFN-γ were observed in the patients of the two groups. The total effective rate was 81.03% (47/58) in the observation group, higher than 63.16% (36/57) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, in the self-comparison of each group, the levels of body mass, abdominal circumference, the maximum depth of the dark area of ascites, the main portal vein diameter (Dpv), maximum blood flow velocity (Vmax) and venous blood flow (Q) were all lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), 24 h urine output/week was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05), and every indicator of liver function was improved (P<0.05). After treatment, the values of body mass, abdominal circumference, the maximum depth of the dark area of ascites, Dpv, Vmax and Q in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), 24 h urine output/week was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the improvement in every indicator of liver function was larger than that in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of plasma NO and ETM after treatment were all lower than those before treatment in both two groups (P<0.05), and the level of IFN-γ was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of NO and ETM in the observation group were lower than those of the control group and the level of IFN-γ was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The combined therapy of acupoint-penetrating needling technique of acupuncture and enema with tuihuang mixture effectively improves the effective rate on refractory ascites of cirrhosis, which is related to the decrease of endotoxin and the improvements of portal hemodynamics and cellular immune function.

Fluid dynamics analyses of the intrahepatic portal vein tributaries using 7-T MRI.

Assessing portal vein (PV) hemodynamics is an essential part of liver disease management/liver surgery, yet the optimal methods of assessing intrahepatic PV flow have not yet been established. This study investigated the usefulness of 7-Tesla MRI with hemodynamic analysis for detecting small flow changes within narrow intrahepatic PV branches. Flow data in the main PV was obtained by two methods, two-dimensional cine phase contrast-MRI (2D cine PC-MRI) and three-dimensional non-cine phase contrast-MRI (3D PC-MRI). Hemodynamic parameters, such as flow volume rate, flow velocity, and wall shear stress in intrahepatic PV branches were calculated before and after a meal challenge using 3D PC-MRI and hemodynamic analysis. The hemodynamic parameters obtained using 3D PC-MRI and 2D cine PC-MRI were similar. All intrahepatic PV branches were clearly depicted in eight planes, and significant changes in flow volume rate were seen in three planes. Average and maximum velocities, cross-sectional area, and wall shear stress were similar between before and after a meal challenge in all planes. 7-Tesla 3D PC-MRI combined with hemodynamic analysis is a promising tool for assessing intrahepatic PV flow and enables future studies in small animals to investigate PV hemodynamics associated with liver disease/postoperative liver recovery.

Morphologic changes in hepatitis virus-related liver cirrhosis: Relationship to hemodynamics of portal vein on dynamic contrast-enhanced CT

IntroductionThe morphologic changes in the compensated stage of liver cirrhosis (cLC) are not diffuse atrophic changes. With cLC lobar or segmental changes combined with atrophy of the right lobe and medial segment together with hypertrophy of the caudate lobe and lateral segment are commonly seen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphologic changes in hepatitis virus-related liver cirrhosis in relationship to haemodynamics of the portal vein on dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) MethodsThis study included 72 patients, 46 with hepatitis virus-related cirrhosis and 26 with a normally functioning liver, who underwent DCE-CT. In cirrhosis patients, the morphologic change index (MCI) of the liver was calculated and categorised into two groups, high-MCI (MCI ≥ 0.4) (n = 21) and low-MCI (MCI < 0.4) (n = 25). Cross-sectional areas of the main, right and left portal veins and the intra-portal distribution from splenic venous flow were evaluated for their relationships with the MCI and compared among three groups (normal-control, low MCI and high MCI). ResultsThere was a significant difference in the cross-sectional area of the left portal vein between the high-MCI group and the low-MCI group (p = 0.013) and the control group (p = 0.008). A significant correlation was identified between the cross-sectional area of the left portal vein and the MCI (r = 0.508, p < 0.001). ConclusionCross-sectional area of the left portal vein may be a factor related to morphologic changes in hepatitis virus-related liver cirrhosis and could be a possible index of the left portal venous flow volume. Implications for practiceThis study may be useful for predicting the degree of hepatic morphologic changes and the condition of cirrhosis in association with regional hepatic morphologic changes.

Application of Color Doppler Ultrasound in the Treatment of Vascular Diseases Around the Cardia

Objective: This paper uses color Doppler ultrasound technology to study the hemodynamic characteristics of portal hypertension and splenectomy plus pericardial vascular disruption, to understand the pathogenesis of portal hypertension, and to understand the spleen. The effects of resection and pericardial vascular dissection on portal vein and hepatic artery hemodynamics were analyzed. Methods: Nine male in our hospital’s hepatobiliary surgery from January 2017 to December 2018 were selected. The preoperative upper gastrointestinal barium meal or gastroscopy confirmed that all patients had moderate to severe esophageal and gastric fundus. The surgical method was splenectomy and pericardial vascular disconnection. Color Doppler ultrasound was performed on portal vein and hepatic arterial hemodynamics to observe the presence or absence of portal vein thrombosis. Result: Preoperative hemodynamic status of the case group: the diameter of the hepatic artery was (0.34±0.01) cm, the value is 0.34 cm; the maximum flow velocity of the hepatic artery was (64.6±5.0) cm/s, the value of 64.7 cm/s; The postoperative hemodynamic status of the case group: the diameter of the hepatic artery was (0.41±0.02) cm, the value of 0.41 cm; the maximum flow velocity of the hepatic artery was (88.5±6.1) cm/s, the value of 89.6 cm/s. Conclusion: Color Doppler ultrasound has obvious application value in the treatment of pericardial vascular diseases. 1 splenectomy and pericardial vascular disconnection can increase the flow of hepatic artery, and reduce the total blood flow into the liver after surgery. The proportion of hepatic arterial blood flow increased, and the oxygen supply to increase.

Portal venous hemodynamics as predictors for the development and grades of esophageal varices in Post‐HCV cirrhotic patients: An Egyptian center study

AbstractThere is no consensus regarding the precise predictive role of portal vein hemodynamics for the prediction of esophageal varices. We performed the current prospective work to assess the diagnostic ability of portal vein hemodynamics for the prediction and grading of esophageal varices. The present work is a prospective one performed in the period from April 2014 till September 2017. Two hundred patients with HCV‐related cirrhosis with esophageal varices were enrolled in the present work as case group (group I). In addition, 100 cirrhotic cases, with no esophageal varices, were included in the work as control arm (group II). Doppler ultrasound (US) and upper endoscopy were performed to all patients. Case group were further subdivided according grades of esophageal varices into four grades. These grades were correlated to splenic size, portal vein velocity, portal vein caliber, and hepatic artery resistivity index. Cases in group I had significantly larger spleen &amp; portal vein diameter and higher hepatic artery resistivity index than cases in group II (P &lt; .001). The portal vein caliber had the highest diagnostic performance for the detection of esophageal varices with cut‐off values of ≥12.5 mm (sensitivity = 99% and specificity = 94%). Patients with grade IV varices had significantly elevated values of splenic diameter, portal vein caliber, and hepatic artery resistivity index; and lower portal vein velocity than other patients with lower grades (P &lt; .001). The same findings were observed with other esophageal varices grades. In conclusion, non‐invasive portal hemodynamic parameters are good indicators for the prediction and severity of esophageal varices.

Ultrasonographic hemodynamics for prediction of poor liver regeneration induced by severe portal vein stenosis in rats.

BackgroundInsufficient portal vein blood flow, such as portal vein stenosis (PVS), plays a significant influence on liver regeneration. Early prediction of poor liver regeneration induced by severe PVS is critical. Ultrasound serves as a first-line imaging technique in diagnosing PVS based on the changes of portal vein hemodynamics. However, there is still no consensus on the criteria for evaluating the degree of PVS. Moreover, which degree of PVS can induce poor liver regeneration still is unclear. Therefore, it is essential to determine the stenosis degree that leads to significantly poor liver regeneration and to evaluate the value of ultrasonographic hemodynamics for predicting poor liver regeneration induced by severe PVS.MethodsRats were randomly subjected to sham operation rats group (SOR), PH group (group A), and PVS groups with mild, moderate, or severe stenosis flowing PH (groups B-D). PH group was set up a model of 70% hepatectomy, and PVS groups were produced by different degrees of partial portal vein ligation following PH. In the SOR group and PH group, the portal vein diameter (PVD) and portal vein velocity (PVV) were measured by Ultrasound at preoperative and postoperative 1, 3, 7, and 14 d. In PVS groups, PVD and PVV at the stenotic (PVDs, PVVs) and pre-stenotic (PVDpre, PVVpre) sites were also detected on 1, 3, 7, and 14 d after surgery, calculating the diameter stenosis ratio (DSR) and accelerating blood flow velocity ratio (AVR). Rats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, and 14 d post-surgery, and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the liver regeneration rate (LRR) at 14 d were evaluated. The PVVs, DSR, and AVR in the different groups were analyzed combined with the status of liver regeneration, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also applied to assess the value of PVVs, DSR, and AVR in diagnosing severe PVS and the resulting poor liver regeneration.ResultsSeventy-two rat models of different degrees of PVS were successfully set up following 70% PH. The stenosis ratios (SRs) of each PVS group were 45.16%±3.44%, 59.21%±3.83%, and 69.56%±2.16%, respectively. Poor liver regeneration appeared to be significant when PVS was greater than 65% (group D), of which the LRR at 14 d was significantly lower compared to PH group (group A) and PVS groups with SR ≤50% (group B) and SR >50–65% (group C), respectively (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, PCNA expression of group D was significantly lower compared to group C at 1 d and groups A-C at 3 d (all P<0.05). Differences were also detected at 3 d between groups A and B and groups A and C (both P<0.05). Among PVS groups, PVVs accelerated dramatically, with significant differences demonstrated between group D and groups B and C at 1 d, as well as group B and groups C and D at 3 d (all P<0.05). At 1, 3, and 7 d, DSR of groups C and D were significantly higher than that of group A (all P<0.05). At 1 and 3 d, AVR of group D was significantly higher than that of groups B and C (all P<0.05). ROC analysis showed the AUC of PVVs at 1 d in diagnosing severe PVS was 0.84, while at 3 d, it was unable to differentiate from mild-moderate or severe PVS by PVVs (P>0.05 vs. AUC =0.50). At 1 and 3 d, the AUC of DSR and AVR in diagnosing severe PVS were all greater than 0.80, comparatively much better in AVR (AUC >0.95). The best cut-off points of AVR at 1 and 3 d were 6.91 and 5.36, with the sensitivity and specificity respectively 100%, 91.67% at 1 d, and 100%, 83.33% at 3 d.ConclusionsPoor liver regeneration could be significantly induced when PVS was greater than 65%. Ultrasound can well prove the changes of portal vein hemodynamics in different degrees of PVS in rats. The parameters PVVs could be regarded as a valid index for diagnosing PVS but were not applicable for evaluating the stenosis degree. Comparatively, the parameters DSR and AVR, especially AVR, proved to be useful for differentiating severe PVS (>65%) in the early postoperative period, predicting the resulting poor liver regeneration.

Predictors of early recipient mortality after living donor liver transplantation in a tertiary care center in Egypt.

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has evolved into a widely accepted therapeutic option. Many different risk factors may affect early mortality after LDLT.OBJECTIVES: Analyze risk factors that can affect early (<6 months) mortality of patients after LDLT in a single center.DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent LDLT.SETTING: University hospital.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult cirrhotic patients who underwent LDLT were classified by early (first 6 months) or late mortality. A full pre, intra- and post-operative evaluation had been done on all patients including a full history, examination and investigations to identify risk factors that might affect mortality post-LDLT.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Determination of pre-, intra- or postoperative factors that might affect recipient mortality post-LDLT.SAMPLE SIZE: 123.RESULTS: Pre-operative factors that increased early mortality in a univariate analysis were higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores, lower graft-recipient weigh ratio (GRWR), older donor age, and recurrent spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Intraoperative factors included more transfusion units of blood, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate, a longer time for cold and warm ischemia, and a longer anhepatic phase among others. Postoperative factors included a longer ICU or hospital stay and abnormal postoperative laboratory data. In the final logistic regression model, the most significant factors were pre-operative GRWR, length of hospital stay, units of intraoperative blood transfusion, postoperative alanine aminotransferase, postoperative total leukocyte count, and MELD score.CONCLUSION: LDLT outcomes might be improved by attempting to resolve clinical factors that have been identified as contributors to early post-LDLT mortality.LIMITATIONS: More risk factors, such as those relevant to patient portal vein hemodynamics, should be included in an analysis of predictors of early mortality.CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.