Hepatic vein waveforms in liver cirrhosis re-evaluated

Abstract

Objective There are many studies on changes in Doppler waveforms of hepatic veins in cirrhotic liver. It is postulated that dampening of phasic oscillations appears with worsening of liver function. Our aim was to reevaluate the significance of Doppler waveforms of hepatic vein in cirrhotic patients and to correlate with hepatic blood flow. Patients and method One hundred and thirty-five consecutive patients of liver cirrhosis and 60 age and sex matched non-cirrhotic controls were enrolled in this study. Doppler waveforms were obtained from right hepatic vein during normal respiration. Other parameters measured were flow volume of portal trunk, right portal vein and proper hepatic artery. Result Waveforms of the hepatic vein were classified into triphasic, biphasic and flat patterns. Flat waveform was rare and appeared in only 3% cases. There was no correlation between liver dysfunction and patterns of waveforms. Inflow, particularly to the right lobe, was significantly elevated in cases associated with the non-triphasic waveforms. Conclusion This study shows that the flat waveforms have no diagnostic value. Role of hepatic blood flow seems to be important suggesting hemodynamic changes rather than liver dysfunction as a plausible cause of change in waveforms.