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?
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.
Kok
T
T
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Haagsma
E B
EB
Klompmaker
I J
IJ
Zwaveling
J H
JH
Peeters
P M
PM
Bijleveld
C M
CM
Meerman
L
L
Slooff
M J
MJ
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