UltraFast Doppler ultrasonography for hepatic vessels of liver recipients: preliminary experiences

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of UltraFast Doppler ultrasonography (US) for evaluating hepatic vessels in liver recipients. METHODS: Thirty-nine liver Doppler US sessions were conducted in 20 liver recipients. Each session consisted of UltraFast and conventional liver Doppler US in a random order. We compared the velocities and phasicities of the hepatic vessels, duration of each Doppler study, occurrence of technical failures, and differences in clinical decisions. RESULTS: The velocities and resistive index values of hepatic vessels showed a strong positive correlation between the two Doppler studies (mean R=0.806; range, 0.710 to 0.924). The phasicities of the hepatic vessels were the same in both Doppler US exams. With respect to the duration of the Doppler US exam, there was no significant difference between the UltraFast (251±99 seconds) and conventional (231±117 seconds) Doppler studies (P=0.306). In five poor breath-holders, in whom the duration of conventional Doppler US was longer, UltraFast Doppler US (272±157 seconds) required a shorter time than conventional Doppler US (381±133 seconds; P=0.005). There was no difference between the two techniques with respect to technical failures and clinical decisions. CONCLUSION: UltraFast Doppler US is clinically equivalent to conventional Doppler US with advantages for poor breath-holders during the post-liver transplantation work-up.