Ultrasonography.  2015 Jan;34(1):32-38. 10.14366/usg.14029.

Doppler ultrasonography measurement of hepatic hemodynamics during Valsalva maneuver: healthy volunteer study

• Bang DH
• Son Y
• Lee YH
• Yoon KH

• KMID: 2382028
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14366/usg.14029

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of our study was to assess the hemodynamic change of liver during the Valsalva maneuver using Doppler ultrasonography.
METHODS
Thirty healthy men volunteers were enrolled (mean age, 25.5+/-3.64 years). The diameter, minimal and maximal velocities, and volume flow of intrahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC), middle hepatic vein (MHV), and right main portal vein (RMPV) was measured during both rest and Valsalva maneuver. These changes were compared using paired t-test.
RESULTS
The mean diameters (cm) of the intrahepatic IVC at rest and Valsalva maneuver were 1.94+/-0.40 versus 0.56+/-0.66 (P<0.001). The mean diameter (cm), minimal velocity (cm/sec), maximal velocity (cm/sec), and volume flow (mL/min) of MHV at rest and Valsalva maneuver were 0.60+/-0.15 versus 0.38+/-0.20 (P<0.001), -7.98+/-5.47 versus 25.74+/-13.13 (P<0.001), 21.34+/-6.89 versus 35.12+/-19.95 (P=0.002), and 106.94+/-97.65 versus 153.90+/-151.80 (P=0.014), respectively. Those of RMPV at rest and Valsalva maneuver were 0.78+/-0.21 versus 0.76+/-0.20 (P=0.485), 20.21+/-8.22 versus 18.73+/-7.43 (P=0.351), 26.79+/-8.85 versus 24.93+/-9.91 (P=0.275), and 391.52+/-265.63 versus 378.43+/-239.36 (P=0.315), respectively.
CONCLUSION
The blood flow velocity and volume flow of MHV increased significantly during Valsalva maneuver. These findings suggest that hepatic vein might play an important role to maintain venous return to the heart during the maneuver.

Keyword

Liver; Hepatic veins; Ultrasonography, Doppler; Hemodynamics; Valsalva maneuver

MeSH Terms

Blood Flow Velocity
Healthy Volunteers*
Heart
Hemodynamics*
Hepatic Veins
Humans
Liver
Male
Portal Vein
Ultrasonography, Doppler*
Valsalva Maneuver*
Vena Cava, Inferior
Volunteers