Color Doppler sonography of hepatic artery reconstruction in liver transplantation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Doppler spectral waveforms in the hepatic artery after liver transplantation and hepatic artery reconstruction by end-to-end anastomosis or aortohepatic bypass. The peak systolic velocities (PSVs), end-diastolic velocities (EDVs), and resistance indices (RIs) between the 2 reconstruction groups were compared to establish normal post-transplantation values.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the Doppler sonograms and the sonographic reports from 48 patients who had undergone liver transplantation, 30 with end-to-end arterial anastomoses and 18 with aortohepatic bypasses.