title: Doppler ultrasound of the hepatic artery and vein performed daily in the first two weeks after orthotopic liver transplantation. Useful for the diagnosis of acute rejection?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze changes in Doppler ultrasound variables in relation to liver biopsy findings for the diagnosis of acute rejection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), the authors performed in a prospective study 316 Doppler ultrasound examinations in the first 2 weeks after OLT on 23 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recordings were obtained daily from the hepatic artery (resistive index [RI]) and hepatic vein (damping index [DI]). Correlations were explored between the Doppler ultrasound findings and histologic data. The chi-square test was used to analyze differences in Doppler ultrasound variables in patients with and without acute rejection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serial Doppler ultrasound examinations showed a significant increase in the RI in 11 of 22 patients (50%); the 23rd patient was excluded because of hepatic artery thrombosis. Despite an agreement in 15 of 22 patients (68%) no statistically significant correlation could be found (positive predictive value 6/11 = 55%; negative predictive value 9/11 = 82%; chi-square = 3.14; P > 0.05). A significant increase in the DI was observed in 14 of 23 patients (61%). However, no statistically significant correlation could be found as well with this parameter (positive predictive value 6/14 = 43%; negative predictive value 6/9 = 67%; chi-square = 0.00; P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serial Doppler ultrasound examinations were not helpful in predicting acute rejection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kok
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Haagsma
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Klompmaker
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zwaveling
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bijleveld
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meerman
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Slooff
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler