Echo-Doppler measurements of portal vein and hepatic artery in asymptomatic patients with hepatitis B virus and healthy adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the range of various hemodynamic parameters of portal vein and hepatic artery with echo-Doppler imaging in asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and healthy adults.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty two healthy adults and fifty-three asymptomatic patients with chronic HBV formed two groups. All participants underwent color Doppler imaging of the portal vein and hepatic artery. A single operator performed all echo-Doppler measurements. The examination protocol included measurements of portal vein and hepatic artery diameter (d), blood flow (BF), time averaged velocity (TAV) and calculation of Doppler Perfusion Index (DPI) of liver.

RESULTS

Asymptomatic HBV carriers showed a statistically significant decrease in portal vein TAV (12.8 ± 6.1 vs 17.5 ± 8.8), an increase in portal vein BF (411.38 ± 211.31 vs 327.55 ± 188.77) and decrease in DPI (0.18 ± 0.14 vs 0.28 ± 0.15).

CONCLUSIONS

Echo-Doppler measurements of portal vein and hepatic artery can detect significant hemodynamic changes in asymptomatic HBV carriers.