Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Heterotopic Auxiliary Rat Liver Transplantation With Flow-regulated Portal Vein Arterialization in Acute Hepatic Failure
16:19

Heterotopic Auxiliary Rat Liver Transplantation With Flow-regulated Portal Vein Arterialization in Acute Hepatic Failure

Published on: September 13, 2014

Reverse flow in intrahepatic portal vessels and liver function impairment in cirrhosis

Tarantino1, Giorgio, de Stefano G

  • 1US Department, D. Cotugno Hospital, Naples, Italy

European Journal of Ultrasound : Official Journal of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
|October 31, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Reversal of flow in intrahepatic portal vessels is uncommon in chronic active hepatitis but occurs in 9% of cirrhosis patients, particularly those with advanced liver disease and higher mortality risk.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and cirrhosis can alter portal hemodynamics.
  • Reversal of flow (RF) in intrahepatic portal vessels (IPV) is a potential indicator of advanced liver disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe hemodynamic patterns in patients with CAH and cirrhosis.
  • To determine the prevalence of RF in IPV in these patient groups.

Main Methods:

  • Echo-Color-Doppler evaluation of portal and splanchnic vasculature in 100 CAH and 178 cirrhotic patients.
  • Assessment of flow direction in segmental IPV, portal veins, splenic vein, superior mesenteric vein, and porto-systemic shunts.
  • Clinical follow-up for 3-15 months.

Main Results:

  • RF in IPV was observed in 9% of cirrhotic patients, predominantly in Child C class (25.8%).
  • CAH patients mostly maintained hepatopetal flow; RF was rare (1%).
  • RF in IPV was associated with significantly higher mortality and advanced liver disease (Child C).

Conclusions:

  • RF in IPV is not rare in cirrhosis and is linked to advanced liver dysfunction.
  • The presence of RF in IPV indicates a poorer prognosis in patients with liver disease.

More Related Videos

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats09:37

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats

Published on: August 1, 2018

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation08:45

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation

Published on: June 27, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Hepatic Portal System01:21

Hepatic Portal System

The hepatic portal system, a critical part of our circulatory framework, transports nutrient-laden, deoxygenated blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This ingenious system plays an indispensable role in maintaining our body's metabolic equilibrium.
At its core, the hepatic portal vein is the result of a confluence of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins along with the splenic vein. Each of these veins has a unique role. The superior mesenteric vein is responsible...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Portal Hypertension01:22

Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...