Portal haemodynamics in subjects without signs of liver disease.

Haemodynamic parameters were investigated in 37 subjects without signs of liver disease. Pressures were simultaneously measured in hepatic veins accessible by catheterization. Mean values obtained for wedged and free hepatic vein pressures were 1.17 +/- 0.37 and 0.86 +/- 0.31 kPa. The relations of the parameters of hepatic circulation to central haemodynamic parameters were analysed. The magnitude of wedged and free hepatic vein pressures is directly proportionate to the magnitude of pressures in the inferior vena cava and in the right atrium and indirectly proportionate to the cardiac output (cardiac index). On the other hand, the magnitude of the hepatic venous pressure gradient is completely independent of all parameters of central circulation. The obtained data can serve as reference values for studying patients with liver disease and signs of portal hypertension as well as for evaluating the effect of their treatment.