Doppler Evaluation of Left Gastric Vein in Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension
Author Information
Author(s): Adithan Subathra, Venkatesan Bhuvaneswari, Sundarajan Elangovan, Kate Vikram, Kalayarasan Raja
Primary Institution: Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER)
Hypothesis
The study aims to assess the value of Doppler evaluation of left gastric vein hemodynamics in monitoring portal hypertension patients by correlating Doppler ultrasonography parameters with the severity of esophageal varices and occurrence of variceal bleeding.
Conclusion
Left gastric vein hemodynamics correlate with the severity of varices and the occurrence of recent variceal bleed in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
Supporting Evidence
- Hepatofugal flow velocity in the left gastric vein was higher in patients with large-sized varices compared to those with small-sized varices.
- The left gastric vein hepatofugal flow velocity was higher in patients with a recent variceal bleed than in those without.
- Large-sized varices were more commonly found in patients with a history of a recent variceal bleed.
Takeaway
Doctors used special ultrasound to look at blood flow in a vein in the stomach of patients with liver problems to see if it could help predict bleeding from swollen veins.
Methodology
The study involved 100 patients, including those with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, assessed using Doppler ultrasonography and endoscopy.
Limitations
The left gastric vein may not be adequately visualized by transabdominal USG, especially in patients with cirrhosis but no history of variceal bleed.
Participant Demographics
The study included 100 patients: 47 with cirrhosis without recent variceal bleed, 26 with recent variceal bleed, and 27 controls without liver disease.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P < 0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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