Ultrasonographic evaluation of hepatic artery and portal vein in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension

Objective To observe the hemodynamic changes in hepatic artery and portal vein in the patients with ciirhosis and portal hypertension and study the relationship between the hemodynamic changes and Child-Pugh grade. Methods Hemodynamics of hepatic artery and portal vein in 35 healthy controls and 37 patients with liver cirrhosis were investigated, from which the relationship of hemodynamics and the grade of cirrhosis was discussed. Results Compared to normal control, the diameter of portal vein was significantly widened, the blood flow velocity of the portal vein was significantly decreases, resistance index (RI) of the hepatic artery and congestion index (CI) of the portal vein were significantly increased. There was no significant difference between the diameter of portal vein and all Child grade groups (A, B, C) (P0.05). However, the portal blood flow volume was significantly decreased in Child's C cirrhosis. Child grade is related to PCI of the portal vein. Conclusion The hemodynamic changes of hepatic artery and portal vein in the patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension can provide useful information in assessing prognosis.