title: [The value of duplex sonography after orthotopic liver transplantation. Experience with 44 patients].
abstract: In a prospective study, 44 patients (11 women, 33 men) who had received orthotopic liver transplants underwent a total of 196 consecutive duplex Doppler ultrasound examinations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the pulsatile flow index (PFI) and the damping index (DI) as far as complications as rejection or cholangitis were concerned. The patients were examined five times each on average. The PFI and DI were measured in the hepatic artery, the portal vein and the hepatic veins. The findings were compared with the clinical course (cholangitis, rejection) and the histomorphological diagnosis as determined in biopsy specimens. In biopsy-proven rejection episodes, the sensitivity of the PFI in the hepatic artery was 69.4%, the specificity 72.2%. The sensitivity of the DI in the hepatic vein was 89.4%, the specificity 89.1%. Combining the two, specificity was more than 90%. PFI and DI in the portal vein bore no apparent relation to clinical course or histomorphological diagnosis. We found duplex Doppler ultrasound extremely beneficial in determining the timing and indication for liver biopsy. In addition, this simple examination, which can be performed as often as desired, accurately shows the transplanted liver's response to measures taken to counter rejection.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Allgemeine Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Essen.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Erhard
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hartwig
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Eigler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011673:Pulsatile Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology
vernacular_title: Der Wert der Duplexsonographie nach der orthotopen Lebertransplantation. Erfahrungen an 44 Patienten.