American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 169, 141-144, Copyright © 1997 by American Roentgen Ray Society

ARTICLES

Flow pulsatility in the portal venous system: a study of Doppler sonography in healthy adults

BP Gallix, P Taourel, M Dauzat, JM Bruel and M Lafortune
Department of Radiology, Montpellier University Hospital, Hopital Saint- Eloi, France.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to describe Doppler sonography patterns of venous flow in the portal system of healthy subjects and to compare pulsatility of flow with subjects' body mass, degree of inspiration, and body position. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Doppler signals from the main, right, and left portal veins; superior mesenteric vein; splenic vein; and inferior vena cava of 23 healthy adults were prospectively studied. Pulsatility of flow was quantified using an index of venous pulsatility (VPI = [maximum frequency shift-minimum frequency shift]/maximum frequency shift). Antegrade flow peak velocities were also related to ECG tracings the time between two R waves being divided into four equal parts for analysis. The caliber variations of the main portal vein and inferior vena cava were measured with M-mode sonography. Doppler tracings were obtained with subjects in supine and sitting positions and during mid and deep inspiration. The subjects' heights and weights were obtained and the body mass index calculated (weight/[height2]). RESULTS: In the portal vein, the VPI was 0.48 +/- 0.31 (mean +/- SD). Marked pulsatility of venous flow (VPI > 0.5) was found in 12 of 23 subjects. We found an inverse correlation between the VPI and the subjects' body mass index (r = -.76; p < .001). Portal vein pulsatility decreased significantly during sitting (p < .05) and deep inspiration (p < .01). The portal VPI was correlated with caliber variation of the inferior vena cava (r = .59; p < .05). In the portal venous system, antegrade flow peak velocities occurred most often during the third quarter of the cardiac cycle, particularly in the splenic vein. CONCLUSION: Doppler sonography shows pulsatile portal venous flow in healthy adults, especially in thin subjects. This pulsatility has an inverse correlation to body mass. The finding of a pulsatile portal vein needs to be interpreted in clinical context and does not necessarily imply dysfunction of the right side of the heart.
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. B. Chavhan, D. A. Parra, A. Mann, and O. M. Navarro Normal Doppler Spectral Waveforms of Major Pediatric Vessels: Specific Patterns RadioGraphics, May 1, 2008; 28(3): 691 - 706. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M Barakat Non-pulsatile hepatic and portal vein waveforms in patients with liver cirrhosis: concordant and discordant relationships Br. J. Radiol., July 1, 2004; 77(919): 547 - 550. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C Gorg, J Riera-Knorrenschild, and J Dietrich Colour Doppler ultrasound flow patterns in the portal venous system Br. J. Radiol., November 1, 2002; 75(899): 919 - 929. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. G. Sheiman, T. Vrachliotis, D. P. Brophy, and B. J. Ransil Transmitted Cardiac Pulsations as an Indicator of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Function: Initial Observations Radiology, July 1, 2002; 224(1): 225 - 230. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M Barakat Portal vein pulsatility and spectral width changes in patients with portal hypertension: relation to the severity of liver disease Br. J. Radiol., May 31, 2002; 75(893): 417 - 421. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C Gorg, B Wollenberg, and J Beyer Reversed portal vein pulsatility on Doppler ultrasound secondary to an iatrogenic mediastinal haematoma Br. J. Radiol., October 1, 2001; 74(886): 962 - 964. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]