Journal of Medical Diagnostic Methods
Open Access

Abstract

Effects of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease on the Hepatic Vein and Artery

Ahmet Aslan*, Derya Türeli, Mine Aslan and Davut Tüney

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the different stages of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on hepatic vein
waveform pattern and hepatic artery resistance index.
Methods: 32 patients diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and 14 healthy volunteers as a control
group were included in the study. In both groups, liver size was measured and the degree of fatty infiltration was graded by gray-scale ultrasonographic examination. Hepatic vein waveform pattern was assessed and hepatic artery resistance index was measured by duplex Doppler ultrasonography examination. The degree of fatty infiltration was compared with hepatic vein waveform pattern and hepatic artery resistance index values in the patient group.
Results: Liver echogenicity was grade 1 in 15 patients, grade 2 in 12 patients, and grade 3 in 5 patients. In
the control group, liver echogenicity was not increased. Liver size was increased with the degree of fatty infiltration (p<0.001). The presence of biphasic or monophasic hepatic vein waveform pattern in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients was statistically significant (p=0.04). However, mean hepatic artery resistance index was not significantly different (p=0.38). Both hepatic vein waveform pattern and hepatic artery resistance index were not related to the degree of fatty infiltration (p=0.99 and p=0.81, respectively).
Conclusion: Vascular compliance of the liver can vary with the fatty infiltration of hepatocytes. This effect can be displayed as abnormal hepatic vein waveform pattern rather than alterations in hepatic artery resistance index values by duplex Doppler ultrasonography.