Value of measurement of mean portal flow velocity by Doppler flowmetry in the diagnosis of portal hypertension.

To establish the sensitivity and specificity of the mean portal flow velocity in the diagnosis of portal hypertension, a population of 304 consecutive cirrhotic patients, in whom 246 abdominal Doppler examinations were performed, was prospectively analysed between June 1988 and December 1990. To avoid equipment-related variability only examinations performed using the same equipment were considered. Further inclusion criteria were the absence of portal vein thrombosis or reversed flow in the portal vessels and the absence of spontaneous, ultrasonographically detectable, portosystemic shunts. The parameter evaluated was mean portal flow velocity calculated directly from the Doppler trace by specific, operator-independent, software. 123 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. As a control group 60 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were examined. Mean portal flow velocity was significantly lower in cirrhotic patients than healthy subjects (13.0 +/- 3.2 cm/s vs. 19.6 +/- 2.6 cm/s; p < 0.001). There was also a decrease in mean portal flow velocity in cirrhotics in each Child-Pugh category (13.8 +/- 2.8 cm/s in Child-Pugh A class; 12.1 +/- 3.5 cm/s in Child-Pugh B class and 11.0 +/- 2.4 cm/s in Child-Pugh C class) with a statistically significant difference between each Child-Pugh category and healthy subjects (p < 0.001), between Child-Pugh A and B (p < 0.01) and between Child-Pugh A and C (p < 0.005). The sensitivity and specificity of mean portal flow velocity in the detection of portal hypertension was then analyzed with the receiver operating characteristic curve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

216例肝硬化门静脉高压症患者CT血管成像门静脉侧支血管表现研究

目的探讨肝硬化患者CT 门静脉血管成像中门静脉侧支血管表现,为临床诊断提供依据。方法回顾性研究2013年1月~2014 年1月本院收治的 216 例临床诊断为肝硬化门静脉高压症患者的临床和CT检查资料,针对患者CT门静脉血管成像和门静脉侧支血管三维重建图像进行分析。结果216例患者中,肝硬化门体分流侧支血管的分布、走行及解剖毗邻关系在CT 门静脉血管成像图像上都能得到良好、直观的显示,其中胃左静脉曲张者172例（79.63%）,食管下段静脉曲张者100例（46.30%）,食管旁静脉曲张者 51例（23.61%）,胃/脾肾静脉分流者50例（23.15%）,附脐静脉及腹壁静脉曲张者36例（16.67%）;胃/脾肾静脉分流患者门静脉和脾静脉直径分别为（12.64±1.12） mm和（18.72±3.48） mm,与无分流患者比较有统计学差异[分别为（19.56±5.64） mm和（13.47±2.35）mm,P<0.05]。结论对肝硬化门脉高压患者行CT 门静脉血管成像检查能够对患者侧支循环的部位、严重程度等进行观察,并作出准确的判断。     

Effect of Metoclopramide on Portal Blood Flow in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis,Measured by the Pulsed Doppler System

The effect of metoclopramide on portal blood flow, the maximal diameter of the portal vein, and some cardiovascular haemortynamic variables was studied in 10 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension. Portal vein haemo-dynamics were studied by the pulsed Doppler system. Within 15 min of intravenous administration of 20 mg metoclopramide, portal blood velocity and portal blood flow decreased significantly, from 11.2 ± 1.1 to 10.8 ± 1.2 cm/sec and from 769.0 ± 87.7 to 707.9 ± 84.2 ml/min, respectively (p < 0.001). Within about 30 min portal blood velocity and portal blood flow returned to basal values (p >0.05). The maximal diameter of the portal vein, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate remained unchanged. These results support the hypothesis that metoclopramide, which raises lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and reduces intravariceal blood flow, significantly decreases the portal blood flow in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.     

Effect of propranolol on portosystemic collateral circulation in patients with cirrhosis

Propranolol has been demonstrated to be effective in lowering portal pressure in cirrhotic patients. This effect is mediated by a reduction of splanchnic arterial inflow and a consequent decrease of portal vein and portocollateral blood flow. Although experimental studies suggest a direct effect of the drug on portocollateral circulation, little information exists about relative flow changes occurring in the portal vein and in collateral veins feeding esophageal varices. This study addressed the problem in 12 cirrhotic patients selected on the basis of feasibility of Doppler flowmetry in both the portal and left gastric veins. Caliber, flow velocity and flow volume in both vessels were measured by Doppler ultrasound before and at 60, 120 and 180 min after an oral dose of 40 mg propranolol, together with heart rate and mean arterial pressure. A significant decrease in heart rate (-17.6% +/- 1.1%, p less than 0.001) and mean arterial pressure (-10.6% +/- 0.9%, p less than 0.005) confirmed effective beta-blockade. Baseline flow velocity was significantly lower in the portal vein than in the left gastric vein (12.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 15.4 +/- 1.5 cm/sec, p less than 0.05). Maximal hemodynamic effect was reached at 120 min after administration of propranolol. The vessel caliber did not change significantly. Flow velocity fell from 12.4 +/- 0.6 to 10.4 +/- 0.7 cm/sec in the portal vein (p less than 0.05) and from 15.4 +/- 1.5 to 11.1 +/- 0.9 cm/sec in the left gastric vein (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

超声检查诊断肝硬化门静脉高压症临床价值研究

目的 研究超声检查在肝硬化门静脉高压症诊断中的临床价值。方法 选择2008年1月~2015年9月我院诊治的肝硬化门静脉高压症患者80例和体检健康者75例,使用纤维内镜进行胃镜检查,判断食管胃底静脉曲张程度,使用意大利百胜Mylab60全数字化多普勒超声诊断仪测量门静脉内径、脾静脉内径、门静脉血流量和脾静脉血流量。结果 肝硬化患者门静脉内径、脾静脉内径、门静脉血流量和脾静脉血流量分别为（1.4±0.6） cm、（1.2±0.3） cm、（1023.2±653.4） mL/min和（593.3±112.3） mL/min,均明显高于健康人【（0.9±0.2） cm、（0.6±0.4） cm、（916.3±254.2） mL/min和（325.6±96.4） mL/min,P<0.05】;46例门静脉内径≥1.4 cm组轻度曲张发生率为19.6%,明显低于34例门静脉内径<1.4 cm组的52.9%（P<0.05）,门静脉内径≥1.4 cm组重度曲张发生率为52.2%,明显高于门静脉内径<1.4 cm组的20.6%（P<0.05）;49例脾静脉内径≥1.0 cm组轻度曲张发生率为20.4%,明显低于31例脾静脉内径<1.0 cm组的51.6%（P<0.05）,脾静脉内径≥1.0 cm组重度曲张发生率为51.0%,明显高于脾静脉内径<1.0 cm组的22.6% （P<0.05）。结论 超声检查诊断肝硬化门静脉高压症具有较高的敏感性和特异性,对食管胃底静脉曲张的轻重程度也具有良好的诊断价值,能为评价患者的肝功能和选择治疗方案提供重要的参考依据。     

肝硬化门静脉高压症并发脾动脉盗血综合征患者脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术后门脉血流动力学的变化*

目的 研究肝硬化门静脉高压症并发脾动脉盗血综合征患者脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术后门脉系统血流动力学的变化。方法 2015年2月~2017年2月我院收治的肝硬化门静脉高压症并发脾动脉盗血综合征患者84例,随机分为手术组42例和内科治疗组42例,采用脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术治疗,另一组采用内科治疗。使用超声检测门静脉血流量（PVF）、门静脉直径（PVD）、门静脉流速（PVV）、脾静脉血流量（SVF）、脾静脉内径（SVD）和脾静脉流速（SVV）。结果 治疗前,两组门脉系统血流动力学指标差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,在治疗后2 w,手术组PVD、PVF、PVV、SVD、SVF、SVV分别为（1.3±0.3） cm、（786.2±85.1） ml、（49.6±6.7） cm/s、（1.3±0.2） cm、（310.1±49.3） ml和（26.5±8.2） cm,与内科治疗组的（1.6±0.4） cm、（848.1±94.6） ml、（40.1±6.5） cm/s、（1.4±0.3） cm、（377.2±55.2） ml和（19.8±7.2） cm比,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）; 手术组外周血白细胞计数为（7.7±3.2）×10⁹/L,血小板计数为（252.1±69.3）×10⁹/L,均显著高于内科治疗组的（3.1±1.9）×10⁹/L和（47.2±7.4）×10⁹/L（P<0.05）;手术组肝功能改善也显著优于内科治疗组。结论 采用脾切除联合贲门周围血管离断术可以有效治疗肝硬化门静脉高压症并发脾动脉盗血综合征患者,能显著改善患者门脉血流动力学、外周血细胞和和肝功能指标,其远期疗效还有待于进一步观察。     

螺旋CT门静脉造影对门脉高压侧支循环的研究

目的探讨多排螺旋CT门静脉造影(CT portal venography,CTPV)显示肝硬化门脉高压侧支循环血管的临床应用价值。方法对92例肝硬化门脉高压的患者分别进行CT门脉造影,获得门脉侧支循环血管的清晰图像,测量门静脉主干和胃左静脉直径,将胃镜与CT门静脉造影两种技术进行比较。结果应用CT门静脉造影能清晰显示和测量门脉侧支循环的血管。CT门静脉造影与胃镜两种方法对食管和胃底曲张静脉的显示能力具有一致性,Kappa值分别为0.502和0.478。结论应用多排螺旋CT门静脉造影能很好显示和测量门体间侧支循环血管。联合应用多排螺旋CT门静脉造影与胃镜两种方法,对于肝硬化门静脉高压患者的诊断、病情判断和估计预后有帮助。     

Patent paraumbilical vein: hemodynamic importance in Mansoni's hepatosplenic portal hypertension (Study with ultrasonography Doppler

BACKGROUND: The hemodynamical effect of the collateral portosystemic circulation upon the portal system has not yet been fully understood. The US-Doppler made possible the non-invasive study of the portal system by evaluating the parameters: flow direction, diameter and flow velocity in it's vessels. AIMS: To study the paraumbilical vein as a collateral portosystemic pathway and identify patterns for appraising its hemodynamic importance to the portal system. METHOD: US-Doppler study of the portal system of 24 patients with Mansoni's hepatosplenic schistosomic portal hypertension, previous esophagic variceal bleeding and patent paraumbilical vein with hepatofugal flow. The diameter and the mean flow velocity were measured in the paraumbilical vein and so were the mean flow velocity in the portal vein, right and left portal branches. The Pearson test (linear correlation) was applied to the portal vein's mean flow velocity and the paraumbilical vein's diameter and mean flow velocity. The patients were divided in four groups: D1-paraumbilical vein with diameter < 0.68 cm (n = 14), D2-paraumbilical vein with diameter > or = 0.68 cm (n = 10), V1-paraumbilical vein with mean flow velocity < 18.41 cm/seg (n = 13) and V2-paraumbilical vein with mean flow velocity > or = 18.41 cm/seg (n = 11). The mean flow velocity in the portal vein, right and left portal branches of the four groups were compared. RESULTS: The paraumbilical vein diameter was 0.68 +/- 0.33 cm (range: 0.15-1.30 cm) and the mean flow velocity was 18.41 +/- 11.51 cm/seg (range: 5.73-38.20 cm/seg). The linear correlation between the portal vein's mean flow velocity/paraumbilical vein diameter and the paraumbilical vein's mean flow velocity showed r = 0.504 and r = 0.735, respectively. In the group D2 there was an increase in the mean flow velocity in the portal vein (17.80 +/- 3.42/22.30 +/- 7.67 cm/seg) and in the left portal branch (16.00 +/- 4.73/22.40 +/- 7.90 cm/seg). In the group V2 there was an increase in the mean flow velocity in the portal vein (16.31 +/- 3.49/21.96 +/- 5.89 cm/seg) and in the left portal branch (14.22 +/- 4.41/21.94 +/- 7.20 cm/seg). There was no change in the right portal branch (13.67 +/- 5.74/15.43 +/- 3.43 cm/seg). CONCLUSIONS: In portal hypertension due to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, the patent paraumbilical vein, with hepatofugal flow, diameter > or = 0.68 cm and mean flow velocity > or = 18.41 cm/seg causes an increase of the mean flow velocity in the portal vein and left portal branch. The best US-Doppler parameter to appraise the paraumbilical vein influence upon the portal system is the mean flow velocity. The correlation between the increase in portal vein's mean flow velocity is stronger with the paraumbilical vein's mean flow velocity than with its diameter. The increase in the portal vein's and left portal branch's mean flow velocity may be understood as the paraumbilical vein's hemodynamic influence upon the portal system. An active portosystemic collateral pathway increases the mean flow velocity in the vein's segment proximal to its point of origin.     

Effect of release‐controlled nifedipine on portal hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients

OBJECTIVE : To evaluate the therapeutic effect of release‐controlled nifedipine on portal hypertension. METHODS : Thirty‐two cirrhotic patients were enrolled to investigate, by using duplex Doppler ultrasonography, differences in portal hemodynamics before and after treatment with release‐controlled nifedipine (30 mg once per day). RESULTS : After taking nifedipine, the diameter, blood velocity and blood flow of the portal vein decreased, but only the change in velocity was statistically significant. After treatment, the congestion index increased, and the blood velocity and blood flow of the splenic vein significantly decreased. The resistance and pulsatile indices of the right hepatic and splenic arteries also decreased markedly. The total hepatic blood flow was elevated slightly and there were no significant changes in mean arterial pressure and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS : The resistance and pulsatile indices of the hepatic and splenic arteries are representative indices of portal resistance. Release‐controlled nifedipine may decrease portal pressure by the following mechanisms: (i) decrease of systemic blood pressure triggers the sympathetic reflex, leading to splanchnic artery constriction and portal blood flow reduction; (ii) dilatation of the portal vein and sinusoids leads to decrease portal resistance; and (iii) dilatation of the collateral veins. Nifedipine has no significant effect on systemic circulation in normotensive cirrhotic patients, therefore it has good prospects as a drug for clinical use in portal hypertension.     

肝硬化非常见侧支循环临床特点研究

目的 探讨肝硬化患者门体循环之间非常见侧支循环形成的临床特点及意义。方法 对临床确诊为肝硬化的患者运用64排螺旋CT和三维血管成像结合电子胃镜检查,观察其门体循环之间非常见侧支循环的形成。结果 ①700例肝硬化患者中118例(16.86%)存在非常见侧支循环,依次为脾肾静脉分流、胃肾静脉分流、椎旁静脉分流、腹膜后静脉分流、胃脾分流和心膈角静脉分流。②非常见侧支循环形成与肝硬化Child-Pugh分级相关(P<0.01)。③与常见侧支循环形成组比较,非常见侧支循环组较少出现重度食管和(或)胃底静脉曲张、重度门静脉高压性胃病及大量腹水(P<0.01)。④非常见侧支循环组中肝性脑病和慢性血氨升高的发生率高于常见侧支循环组(P<0.01)。结论 ①肝硬化患者中非常见侧支循环并不"非常见";②非常见侧支循环形成与肝功能Child-Pugh分级有关;③非常见侧支循环形成可缓解门静脉高压引起的相关并发症,但增大了肝性脑病和慢性血氨升高的发病率。     

Postprandial splanchnic haemodynamic changes in patients with liver cirrhosis and patent paraumbilical vein

OBJECTIVE: The haemodynamic changes induced by a meal on collateral vessels in portal hypertensive cirrhotic patients are not well characterized. We aimed to study the postprandial modifications of splanchnic circulation in patients with a patent paraumbilical vein (PUV). METHODS: We studied 10 cirrhotic patients with patent PUV and 10 matched cirrhotic patients without PUV, by using echo colour Doppler at baseline and 15, 30 and 45 min after a standard mixed liquid meal (400 ml; 600 kcal). Calibre and blood flow velocities of the superior mesenteric artery, portal vein and PUV were obtained; congestion index of portal vein, portal blood flow, paraumbilical blood flow and effective portal liver perfusion were calculated; intrahepatic and intrasplenic arterial resistance and pulsatility indexes were recorded. RESULTS: We observed a postprandial splanchnic hyperaemia (superior mesenteric artery and portal vein blood flow increased after the meal in both groups; ANOVA P < 0.05), with no changes of hepatic impedance. In PUV patients, PUV constricted significantly postprandially, maximally at 30 min (calibre -17.5 +/- 7.0%; P = 0.003). Intrasplenic impedance, which may reflect portal pressure, increased, maximally at 30 min (pulsatility index +22.6 +/- 27.0%; P = 0.01), and inversely correlated with PUV vasoconstriction (R = 0.75, P = 0.01). In non-PUV patients intrasplenic impedance did not change. Portal liver perfusion increased similarly in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: PUV constricts after the meal, and this vasoconstriction is associated with an increase of splenic impedance which may indicate the postprandial increase of portal pressure observed in cirrhosis. The increase in postprandial portal liver perfusion in the PUV group is allowed by a paradox constriction of the collateral vessel.     

64层螺旋CT门静脉造影对肝硬化患者肝功能分级和食管静脉曲张破裂出血的预测价值

目的：评价64层螺旋 CT 门静脉造影在肝硬化患者肝功能分级和食管静脉曲张破裂出血（EVB）预测中的临床价值。方法使用64层螺旋 CT 对64例肝硬化患者（消化道出血组30例、非出血组34例）及36例正常对照人群门静脉主干（MPV）、脾静脉（SPV）、胃左静脉（LGV）、肝内门静脉左支（IHLPV）和肝内门静脉右支（IHRPV）进行测量;应用受试者工作特征曲线下面积（AUC）评价上述各指标预测 EVB 的价值。结果肝硬化患者 MPV、SPV、LGV、IHLPV 和 IHRPV 直径分别为（1.68±0.21）cm、（1.45±0.18）cm、（0.53±0.12）cm、（1.21±0.15）cm 和（1.26±0.22）cm,显著高于对照组[分别为（1.18±0.14）cm、（0.80±0.09）cm、（0.42±0.07）cm、（0.95±0.07）cm 和（0.96±0.11）cm,P＜0.05];Child-Pugh C 级患者 MPV、SPV、LGV、IHLPV 和 IHRPV 直径分别为（2.01±0.20）cm、（1.57±0.10）cm、（0.59±0.11）cm、（1.36±0.09）cm 和（1.45±0.12）cm,显著高于 Child-Pugh A 级患者[分别为（1.68±0.15） cm、（1.35±0.13）cm、（0.48±0.09）cm、（1.11±0.13）cm 和（1.15±0.21）cm,P＜0.05];消化道出血患者 MPV、SPV、LGV 和 IHLPV 直径分别为（1.78±0.16）cm、（1.54±0.20）cm、（0.62±0.10）cm 和（1.28±0.15）cm,显著高于非出血患者[分别为（1.60±0.21）cm、（1.36±0.13）cm、（0.45±0.06）cm 和（1.15±0.13）cm,P＜0.05];出血患者 IHRPV 直径[（1.29±0.21）cm]与非出血患者[（1.25±0.23）cm]差异无统计学意义;LGV 的 AUC 为0.906。当 LGV＞0.61 cm 时,预测 EVB 的敏感度为93.3%,特异度为58.8%。结论64层螺旋 CT 门静脉造影能够清晰显示肝硬化门静脉高压侧支循环血管情况,并对预测 EVB 具有一定的临床应用价值。     

Relationship between Peripheral Portal Blood Flow and Liver Function in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: Pulsed Doppler Ultrasonographic Study

Nishihara K, Sakata K, Yagyu T, Nakashima K, Suzuki T. Relationship between peripheral portal blood flow and liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis. Pulsed Doppler ultrasonographic study. Scand J Gastroenterol 1994;29:859-864.

Background: The relationship between portal hemodynamics and liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis remains unclear. Methods: Using pulsed Doppler ultrasonography, we investigated portal hemodynamics in the trunk and the intrahepatic peripheral vessels and its relation to liver function in cirrhotic patients. Results: The portal blood flow in the right anterior branch (RAB) in cirrhotic patients (n equals; 40) was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than that in normal subjects (n equals; 40). In the cirrhotic patients the portal blood flow in the RAB was significantly correlated with the values of serum albumin, total bilirubin, cholesterol, cholinesterase, prothrombin time, and ICG R-15, and that in group C (Child's grading) was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) compared with that in group A. No such difference was found in the main portal vein, the right posterior branch, or the umbilical portion of the left portal vein. Conclusions: The decrease in blood flow in the RAB is closely related to the impairment of liver function in cirrhotic patients.     

肝硬化门静脉高压症Hassab断流术后患者静脉曲张与血流动力学的变化

目的 分析肝炎肝硬化门静脉高压症Hassab术后患者不同时期食管胃静脉曲张情况与门静脉血流动力学变化,评估患者预后.方法 对161例患者Hassab术前、术后6、12、18、24个月,内镜检查食管、胃底静脉曲张情况,彩色多普勒检测门静脉血流动力学变化,评价Child-Pugh肝功能分级情况.结果 术后6、12、18个月内轻度食管静脉曲张患者比例分别为44.0%、34.8%、28.3%,较术前（7.5%）增高（P＜0.05）,重度食管静脉曲张比例术后6、12、18个月内分别为25.2%、29.7%、34.9%,较术前（65.2%）降低（P＜0.05）;胃底静脉曲张发生率与食管静脉曲张程度相关.术后12个月内门静脉主干、门静脉右支内径较术前缩小（P＜0.05）,门静脉主干最大血流速度及血流量、门静脉左支平均血流速度减慢（P＜0.05）,门静脉右支平均血流速度在术后6个月时较术前减慢（P＜0.05）.术后6、12、18个月内Child-Pugh分级肝功A级患者比例分别为63.5%、60.6%、57.9%,较术前（4 8.4%）升高（P＜0.05）.但至术后24个月时,各项指标均接近于术前水平.结论 Hassab术后患者18个月内整体食管静脉曲张程度减轻,术后12个月内门静脉血流动力学降低,术后18个月内整体肝功能改善.     

Ten-year survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation as a first-line treatment

AIM: To investigate the long-term survival and prognostic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation(RFA) as a first-line treatment.METHODS: From 2000 to 2013, 316 consecutivepatients with 404 HCC(1.0-5.0 cm; mean: 3.2 ± 1.1 cm) underwent ultrasonography-guided percutaneous RFA as a first-line treatment. There were 250 males and 66 females with an average age of 60.1 ± 10.8 years(24-87 years). Patients were followed for 1 year to 10 years after RFA(234, 181, 136, and 71 for 3, 5, 7, and 10 years, respectively). Overall local response rates and long-term survival rates were assessed. Survival results were generated using Kaplan-Meier estimates, and multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox regression model. RESULTS: In total, 548 RFA sessions were performed and major complications occurred in 10 sessions(1.8%). Local tumor progression and/or new tumor development were observed in 43.3%(132/305) of the patients during the follow-up period. Overall 5-and 10-year survival rates were 49.7% and 28.4%, respectively. Based on multivariate analysis, three factors were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall survival: Child-Pugh classification(HR = 4.054, P 0.001), portal vein hypertension(HR = 2.743, P = 0.002), and tumor number(HR = 2.693, P = 0.003). The local progression-free 5- and 10-year survival rates were 42.7% and 19.5%. In addition to the Child-Pugh classification and the number of tumors, the number of RFA sessions(HR = 1.550, P = 0.002) was associated with local progression-free survival.CONCLUSION: RFA can achieve acceptable outcomes for HCC patients as a first-line treatment, especially for patients with Child-Pugh class A, patients with a single tumor and patients without portal vein hypertension.     

Prognostic usefulness of ultrasonographic signs of portal hypertension in patients with child-pugh stage A liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify factors related with mortality in patients with cirrhosis in the absence of habitual biochemical markers of liver dysfunction. METHODS: Seventy-five cirrhotic patients in Child-Pugh stage A, without hepatocellular carcinoma, were followed until death or the end of the study period. We analyzed the association between cumulative survival and 15 variables determined at the moment of inclusion: age, sex, time from diagnosis of cirrhosis, alcohol abuse, history of variceal bleeding, hepatitis B and C virus infection, Child-Pugh score, plasma albumin and bilirubin levels, prothrombin activity, and four sonographic parameters (size of liver, portal vein diameter, size of spleen, and presence of collateral circulation). RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 38.7+/-10 months. Eighteen patients died. Four-year cumulative survival was 77.4+/-5%. Only five variables had a significant influence on survival according to log-rank test: sex, previous variceal bleeding, hepatitis B virus infection, portal vein diameter, and size of the spleen. Multivariate Cox's model showed male sex (relative risk 4.6; 95% confidence interval 1.2-16.8) and diameter of the portal vein > 13 mm, splenomegaly > 145 mm, or both together (relative risk 6.0; 95% confidence interval 1.3-27.2) as independent predictors of the risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: Child-Pugh stage A cirrhotic patients have substantial variability in mid-term survival. Ultrasonography is a useful aid in establishing their prognosis. Men with dilation of the portal vein, splenomegaly, or both, form a group with a significantly higher risk of death.     

Gastric mucosal blood flow and hepatic perfusion index in patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy

Endoscopic laser Doppler velocimetry is a simple non-invasive method to measure gastric mucosal blood flow. The present study is an attempt to determine a correlation, if any, between gastric mucosal blood flow and the hepatic perfusion index in patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy and their relationship to the severity of liver disease. Thirty patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy due to cirrhosis of the liver (eight class A, 13 class B, nine class C, according to Child-Pugh Classification) and six normal subjects were recruited into the study. In all subjects, the gastric mucosal blood flow and venous vasomotor reflex response was measured at two sites: the lesser and greater curvature, using endosoopic laser Doppler velocimetry. The hepatic perfusion index was measured using dynamic liver scintigraphy. The hepatic perfusion index (ratio of arterial/portal venous perfusion) in normal subjects and patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy belonging to Child-Pugh class A, B and C were 0.36 ± 0.02, 0.53 ± 0.08, 0.62 ± 0.14 and 1.04 ± 0.28, respectively. The gastric mucosal blood flow was similar in Child's A, B and C cases, while the venous vasomotor reflex response was reduced according to the Child-Pugh score (Child's A 37.4 ± 5.4%, normal control 62.3 ± 10.9%, Child's B 38.3 ± 18.2%, Child's C 22.5 ± 15.2%) and was statistically significant. The gastric mucosal blood flow and hepatic perfusion index are inversely correlated. The hepatic perfusion index altered with grading of cirrhotic change. This study confirms that the severity of portal hypertensive gastropathy is correlated with Child-Pugh score.     

Role of liver function and portal vein congestion index on rebleeding in cirrhotics after distal splenorenal shunt

BACKGROUND: Bleeding from esophagogastric varices is the worst and most lethal complication of cirrhotic portal hypertension. Distal splenorenal shunt (Warrens surgery) is used in the therapeutic of this patients, Child A and B, with rebleeding after clinical endoscopic therapy. The portal vein congestion index is elevated in cirrhotic portal hypertension and could predict rebleeding after Warrens surgery in these patients. AIM: To verify if the portal vein congestion index or liver function (Child-Pugh) at preoperative are predictive factors of rebleeding after Warrens surgery. METHODS: Sixty-two cirrhotic patients were submitted to Warrens surgery at "Santa Casa" Medical School and Hospital - Liver and Portal Hypertension Unit, S?o Paulo, SP, Brazil. Fifty-eight were analyzed for Child-Pugh class and 36 for portal vein congestion index, divided in two groups: with or without rebleeding and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: In the rebleeding group, 69% were Child B, with portal vein congestion index = 0.09. The group without rebleeding show us 62% patients Child A with portal vein congestion index = 0.076. The difference was significant for Child-Pugh class but not to portal vein congestion index. CONCLUSION: Portal vein congestion index was not predictive of rebleeding after Warrens surgery, but cirrhotics Child B have more chance to rebleed after this surgery than Child A.     

Portal venous system after endoscopic sclerotherapy of esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis--prospective study with Doppler sonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this prospective, clinical study was an ultrasonographic color Doppler evaluation of morphological and hemodynamic changes in the portal system prior to and after repeated, endoscopic injection sclerotherapy in patients with liver cirrhosis and hemorrhage from esophageal varices. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-six patients before and after complete eradication of esophageal varices by repeated sclerotherapy with 5% ethanolamine oleate as obliterating agent were examined. The diameter of the portal and splenic veins, the patency of the veins, the direction of the blood flow, the mean and maximal velocity of blood flow, spleen size and presence and number of collateral circulation pathways were determined. Hemodynamic examinations of the portal system were performed with duplex Doppler method with color imaging of blood flow. RESULTS: The study revealed no statistically significant differences between diameters of the portal and the splenic vein or between the size of the spleen prior to and after sclerotherapy. The blood flow was intrahepatic and portal vein thrombosis was not detected in any of the patients. The mean velocity blood flow in the portal vein prior to and after sclerotherapy did not reveal any changes. The maximal velocity of blood flow in the portal vein increased from 23.7 +/- 2.5 cm/s to 27.2 +/- 2.8 cm/s, but it was not statistically significant. Prior to the commencement of sclerotherapy collateral portal-systemic circulation was detected in 17 out of 26 patients (65%), with a total of 25 collateral circulation pathways. After completion of sclerotherapy collaterals were detected in 19 out of 26 patients (73%) and number of pathways was increased by 7. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic sclerotherapy of esophageal varices does not affect the direction of blood flow in the portal vein and causes no thrombosis of the portal system. Effective sclerotherapy and complete eradication of esophageal varices results in closure of collateral circulation pathways through submucosal esophageal varices as well as development of new pathways of collateral circulation.     

Preoperative predictors of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization

AIM: To evaluate the predictive value of preoperative predictors for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization.METHODS: In this prospective study, 69 continuous patients with portal hypertension caused by hepatitis B cirrhosis underwent splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2007 to August 2010. The portal vein flow velocity and the diameter of portal vein were measured by Doppler sonography. The hepatic congestion index and the ratio of velocity and diameter were calculated before operation. The prothrombin time (PT) and platelet (PLT) levels were measured before and after operation. The patients’ spleens were weighed postoperatively.RESULTS: The diameter of portal vein was negatively correlated with the portal vein flow velocity (P < 0.05). Thirty-three cases (47.83%) suffered from postoperative PVT. There was no statistically significant difference in the Child-Pugh score, the spleen weights, the PT, or PLT levels between patients with PVT and without PVT. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed four variables (portal vein flow velocity, the ratio of velocity and diameter, hepatic congestion index and diameter of portal vein) could be used as preoperative predictors of postoperative portal vein thrombosis. The respective values of the area under the curve were 0.865, 0.893, 0.884 and 0.742, and the respective cut-off values (24.45 cm/s, 19.4333/s, 0.1138 cm/s^-1 and 13.5 mm) were of diagnostically efficient, generating sensitivity values of 87.9%, 93.9%, 87.9% and 81.8%, respectively, specificities of 75%, 77.8%, 86.1% and 63.9%, respectively.CONCLUSION: The ratio of velocity and diameter was the most accurate preoperative predictor of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization in hepatitis B cirrhosis-related portal hypertension.