A Novel Non-invasive Method for Predicting Liver Fibrosis by Quantifying the Hepatic Vein Waveform

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2019 Sep;45(9):2363-2371. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2019.05.028. Epub 2019 Jul 12.

Abstract

The hepatic vein (HV) waveform by Doppler ultrasound reflects the severity of liver fibrosis. We conducted a proof-of-concept study of a new method for quantifying the HV waveform. We calculated the coefficient of variation (CV) of the HV flow velocity and created a new index "q-HV" (quantified HV) and analyzed its performance for predicting histologic liver fibrosis in 114 patients with chronic liver disease. The CV of the HV flow velocity was well associated with flattening of the waveform and the q-HV significantly increased with the progression of liver fibrosis. The areas under the curve for the prediction of fibrosis stage were 0.732 for F2, 0.772 for F3 and 0.805 for F4. Combined q-HV and FIB-4 index (widely used liver fibrosis score) increased the diagnostic accuracy for liver fibrosis. The q-HV showed good accuracy for predicting liver fibrosis; thus, q-HV is feasible and acceptable as a non-invasive tool for predicting liver fibrosis.

Keywords: Doppler; Hepatic vein waveform; Liver fibrosis; Ultrasonography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Hepatic Veins / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Proof of Concept Study
  • Prospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler / methods*