Spectral doppler of the hepatic veins in noncardiac diseases: What the echocardiographer should know

Abstract

In most instances, the flow profile in the hepatic veins (HVs) reflects the fluctuation of pressure within the right atrium. Thus, interrogation of blood flow in the HVs is highly useful for the evaluation of right heart hemodynamics and has become an integral part of any routine echocardiographic examination. However, flow in the HVs is also affected by the state of the liver parenchyma and by the fluctuation of pressure within the thoracic cavity. Therefore, liver and pulmonary pathologies influence the flow pattern in the HVs and may lead to its dissociation from right heart hemodynamics. Echocardiographers should familiarize themselves with the findings on HV Doppler in noncardiac diseases to avoid misinterpretation and incorrect diagnosis.