Hemodynamics in the portal veins of normal subjects and patients with chronic liver disease: Changes associated with aging

In previous studies, changes in blood flow have been examined solely with respect to various diseases, and not with respect to aging. Age-related changes of the hemodynamics in the portal vein were therefore investigated in the present study. The cross-sectional area of the portal vein and the mean velocity and volume of blood flowing in that vein were evaluated in normal subjects and in patients with chronic liver disease using a precision diagnostic instrument, employing the Doppler technique. Examinations of 189 normal subjects revealed that the flow volume output and flow cross-sectional area of the portal vein decreased with age. The blood flow volume was not influenced by age and remained unchanged among the various age groups of patients with fatty livers. The flow volume and cross-sectional area decreased with age in the patients with chronic liver disease, as in the normal subjects. Whilst no correlation was detected between blood flow and liver disease activity, the blood flow was significantly decreased in patients with marked fibrosis. In conclusion, age-related changes should be taken into account when the hemodynamics in the portal veins are analyzed in normal subjects and patients with chronic liver diseases.