Effect of respiration, exercise, and food intake on hepatic vein circulation

Since the effects of respiration, nutrition, and exercise on blood flow in the hepatic vein are not well understood, the objective of this study was to determine the hemodynamic influence of these factors on hepatic venous circulation using Doppler ultrasonographic tracings. The venous blood flow of the middle hepatic vein was determined during arrested full inspiration, midinspiration, and expiration in 25 healthy subjects. The maximum velocity and the systolic-to-diastolic ratio of the blood flow were measured. The portal vein blood flow velocity was measured in 20 volunteers before and after food intake. The portal vein blood flow and the hepatic vein flow velocity were examined in eight volunteers after exercise. During inspiration, maximum blood flow velocity of the hepatic veins decreased compared to midinspiration (P < 0.001). With expiration the maximum velocity increased (P < 0.001). After food consumption, there was no change in the velocity of the hepatic veins, but the portal vein blood flow increased (P = 0.041). After physical exercises, the maximum velocity of the hepatic venous flow increased, on average, about 148% (P = 0.01), and the portal vein blood flow decreased about 44% (P = 0.027). To achieve standard measurements of hepatic venous blood flow, the state of respiration and physical exertion should be established. The nutritional status had only a minor influence on hepatic vein measurements.