Ultrasound assessment of liver veins in congestive heart failure

The width of the liver veins was measured using ultrasound in 40 normal subjects and in 29 patients with congestive heart failure with and without pleural effusion. The liver veins were significantly wider in the patients, and the widest veins were found in those with pleural effusion. The presence of pleural effusion indicates that right heart failure, causing dilatation of liver veins, is added to pre-existing left heart failure.