title: Echo-Doppler measurement of splanchnic blood flow in control and cirrhotic subjects.
abstract: Blood flow in the splanchnic veins was studied in cirrhotics and matched controls by means of a system that combines a mechanical sector scanner with a pulsed Doppler. The measurements were validated in an in vitro model. Echo-doppler studies could be carried out reproducibly in only approximately two-thirds of cases because of poor echo transmission or incomplete cooperation. Portal blood velocity was significantly reduced in cirrhotics (10.5 +/- 0.6 cm/s versus 16.0 +/- 0.5 in controls; p less than 0.001), but portal blood flow was normal because of enlarged portal caliber. A complete hemodynamic evaluation of the splenic and superior mesenteric veins was possible in only a few subjects. In selected patients the technique may prove relevant in the study of hemodynamic effects of drugs and surgery on portal blood flow.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000503:physiopathology; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography