AI Article Synopsis
- Ascites can compress the inferior vena cava, leading to increased renal pressure, and prior studies showed that the left renal vein diameter is important for prognosis in liver cirrhosis patients with ascites.
- A study measured the diameter and flow velocity of renal veins in 186 patients, categorizing them into four groups based on liver condition, and utilized abdominal ultrasonography for detailed measurements.
- Findings indicated that left renal vein diameter increased with disease severity, and lower IVC flow velocity was noted in congestive liver and ascites groups, suggesting similar renal congestion mechanisms despite different conditions.
Article Abstract
Purpose: Ascites can cause compression of the inferior vena cava (IVC), leading to increased renal venous pressure and renal congestion. Previously, the left renal vein diameter in liver cirrhosis patients with ascites was measured using computed tomography, showing that enlargement of the left renal vein diameter affects the prognosis. Herein, the diameter and flow velocity of the renal veins were measured using ultrasonography.
Methods: Abdominal ultrasonography was performed on 186 patients. The patients were divided into four groups: normal liver (n = 102), liver cirrhosis (LC) without ascites (n = 37), LC with ascites (n = 30), and congestive liver (n = 17). Ultrasonographic measurements for diameter and flow velocity of the IVC, left renal vein main trunk, and segmental renal vein were performed.
Results: The left renal vein diameter increased in the following order: normal liver, LC, LC with ascites, and congestive liver groups (P < 0.001). IVC flow velocity was lower and left renal vein diameter was larger in the congestive liver and LC with ascites groups. These results suggest that the two groups have different pathological conditions, but the mechanism of renal congestion is similar. In patients with LC, IVC compression due to ascites might cause blood stagnation and renal congestion.
Conclusion: The left renal vein and IVC can be measured using ultrasonography. It might help in furthering our understanding of the pathophysiology of renal congestion in these patients.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10396-021-01088-0 | DOI Listing |
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