Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of hepatic blood flow in clinical sepsis

The aim of this study was to determine the hemodynamic response of the liver to sepsis by measuring hepatic blood flow. Thirty patients with sepsis were examined using Doppler ultrasonography and measurements of portal venous blood flow, hepatic arterial blood flow and total hepatic blood flow were recorded. Data were retrospectively reviewed and compared with findings for a control group of 12 healthy subjects. Significantly increased values of hepatic blood flow (p<0.01) and portal venous blood flow (p<0.001) were observed in patients during early sepsis (5 h). In contrast, hepatic arterial blood flow was not significantly different from controls. During late sepsis (24 h), no significant differences were observed between patients and healthy controls. Our results support the concept that hepatic blood flow is significantly increased in patients with early sepsis due to increased portal venous blood flow; however, during late sepsis, hepatic blood flow is similar to that in controls.