Liver hemodynamic flow balance by image-directed Doppler ultrasound evaluation in normal subjects.

Image-directed Doppler ultrasonography of main hepatic vessels (hepatic artery, portal vein, hepatic veins, and inferior vena cava (IVC)] was performed in 22 healthy volunteers, 20 years to 65 years of age. For each vessel an estimate was made of the diameter, velocity time interval (VTI), volume blood flow in relation to heart rate (stroke volume in L/min/beat), and body size (blood flow index in L/min/m2 body surface area). Moreover, a hemodynamic hepatic balance to define a range of values in normal population was described. The summation of flow of hepatic veins and IVC flow, just over renal veins, (= IVC subhepatic flow) was significantly correlated with the IVC flow rate before entrance into the atrium (R2 = 0.90). Hepatic artery flux plus portal vein flux plus subhepatic vein flux was also related to IVC flux before right atrium entrance (R2 = 0.92). This study confirms the utility and efficiency of Doppler ultrasonography in understanding liver flow hemodynamic balance.