Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
10:40
Visualization and Analysis of Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Hepatic Microcirculation: Application to an Acute Hepatitis Model
Published on: August 4, 2012
13.2K
Hemodynamics in Normal and Diseased Livers: Application of Image-Based Computational Models
Stephanie M George1, Lisa M Eckert2, Diego R Martin3
1Department of Engineering, East Carolina University, 225 Slay Building, Mail Stop 117, Greenville, NC, 27858-4353, USA. georges@ecu.edu.
Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology
|November 19, 2015
Summary
New MRI-derived parameters and computational models show promise in differentiating liver disease. These tools can assess portal venous hemodynamics and monitor disease progression noninvasively.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Hepatology
Background:
- Portal venous hemodynamics are crucial in liver function and disease.
- Current clinical practices for assessing liver hemodynamics have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the utility of image-based computational models for portal venous hemodynamics.
- To develop noninvasive imaging and computational methods to improve clinical care for liver diseases.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to collect data from healthy subjects and patients with cirrhosis.
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models were developed and validated using MRI data.
- Simulations were performed for post-prandial hemodynamics and portal hypertension.
Main Results:
- Identified novel MRI parameters (e.g., portal vein V avg/total liver volume) that statistically differentiate healthy subjects from patients with liver disease.
- CFD models quantified blood supply distribution to liver lobes and simulated disease progression.
- New MRI parameters show potential for distinguishing patient groups and monitoring disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Image-based computational models and novel MRI parameters offer a promising noninvasive approach to assess liver hemodynamics.
- These methodologies can augment current clinical practices and aid in monitoring liver disease progression.
- CFD provides a valuable tool for hypothesis testing and understanding hemodynamic changes in liver disease.
