Clinical Research
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 21, 2005; 11(43): 6787-6791
Published online Nov 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i43.6787
Changes of duplex parameters and splenic size in liver transplant recipients during a long period of observation
Bita Boozari, Michael Gebel, Mathias J Bahr, Michael P Manns, Christian P Strassburg, Joerg S Bleck, J Klempnauer, Bjoern Nashan
Bita Boozari, Michael Gebel, Mathias J Bahr, Michael P Manns, Christian P Strassburg, Joerg S Bleck, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical School of Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
J Klempnauer, Department of Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Medical School of Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Bjoern Nashan, Department of Transplant Surgery, Dalhousie University, QEII HSC, VG Site 6S-202, 1278 Tower Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Y9, Canada
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr Med. B Boozari, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical School of Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. bita.boozari@t-online.de
Telephone: +49-511-532-9203 Fax: +49-511-532-9405
Received: November 28, 2004
Revised: January 23, 2005
Accepted: January 26, 2005
Published online: November 21, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To assess the changes of portal and arterial velocities, resistance index, spleen and liver size during a long observation period (13.7 years) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

METHODS: Two hundred and sixty patients were recruited retrospectively for this study and divided into groups with defined time intervals after OLT. The cross-sectional changes of portal and arterial velocities, resistance index, spleen and liver size between the defined time intervals were studied. The complications detected by ultrasound were compared to gold standard methods.

RESULTS: The mean values for liver size were all within the normal range. The splenic size decreased between the time intervals 100 and 1 000 d after OLT (t; P<0.01). While portal and arterial flow velocities decreased up to 5.5 years (t; portal velocity P<0.01, maximal systolic velocity P = 0.05, maximal end diastolic velocity P<0.01), RI increased during this interval (t: P<0.01). Higher RI values were found in older patients (r = 0.24, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: The arterial and portal velocities show adaptation processes continuing over the course of many years after OLT and are reported for the first time. The vascular complications detected by ultrasound occur mostly up to 100 d after OLT.

Keywords: Ultrasound, Color Doppler, Liver transplanta-tion, Monitoring