Changes in hepatic hemodynamics in patients with liver cirrhosis induced by catecholamine Analysis using ultrasonic Doppler duplex system and hepatic catheterization

• Published in: Kanzo Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 294 - 301
• Main Authors: KAWASAKI, Toshihiko, MORIYASU, Fuminori, KIMURA, Tohru, SOMEDA, Hitoshi, TAMADA, Takashi, YAMASHITA, Yukitaka, ONO, Shigeki, KAJIMURA, Kouzou, HAMATO, Noriyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japan Society of Hepatology 25.03.1990
• Subjects: catecholamine; hyperdynamic state
• ISSN: 0451-4203; 1881-3593
• DOI: 10.2957/kanzo.31.294

Using an ultrasonic Doppler duplex system and hepatic catheterization, we investigated changes in hepatic hemodynamics induced by infusion of dobutamine at the rate of 5μg/kg·min in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC group) and patients without liver diseases (CN group). Both portal venous flow and cardiac index increased significantly during dobutamine infusion in both groups. The rate of change in these variables was less in the LC group than in the CN group. The most plausible explanation for the difference was the hyperdynamic circulatory state in the LC group. In the CN group, hepatic vascular resistance increased significantly during dobutamine infusion, suggesting that dobutamine caused constriction of the sinusoids or hepatic veins. In the LC group, hepatic oxygen uptake increased significantly in those patients whose portai flow increased during dobutamine infusion. It is therefore essential to monitor the portal flow when dobutamine is used to prevent hepatic failure in patients with liver cirrhosis.