Korean J Hepatol > Volume 5(1); 1999 > Article
The Korean Journal of Hepatology 1999;5(1): 33-42.
복수를 동반한 간경변증에서 뇌혈류저항의 증가 ( Increased Cerebrovascular Resistance in Liver Cirrhosis and Ascites )
Increased Cerebrovascular Resistance in Liver Cirrhosis and Ascites
Seong Woo Jeon, M.D., Won Young Tak, M.D., Young Oh Kweon, M.D., Sung Kuk Kim, M.D., Yong Hwan Choi, M.D., Jun Mo Chung, M.D., Eung Ju Lee, M.D.,* Jong Yeol Kim, M.D.,* Hun Kyu Ryeom, M.D.‡
Department of Internal M edicine, Neuromedicine*, Radiology‡, Liver research institute College of Medicine, Kyung pook National Univers ity, Taegu, Korea
ABSTRACT
Background/Aims
: Portal hypertension in cirrhosis is associated with a hyperdynamic circulation, which is characterized by hypervolemia, high cardiac output, arterial hypotension and low peripheral vascular resistance. These circulatory abnormalities are thought to be secondary to a splanchnic arteriolar vasodilation related to the increase in portal pressure. Studies assessing regional hemodynamics in patients of cirrhosis with ascites have shown vasoconstriction in the renal circulation and in peripheral vascular territory. This study was designed to assess the cerebral vascular resistance in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Methods : The resistive index in the middle cerebral artery and in a renal interlobar artery were measured by Doppler ultrasonography in 12 cirrhotic subjects without ascites, 23 cirrhotic subjects with ascites, and 8 healthy subjects. The arterial blood pressure and plasma renin and norepinephrine concentration, which reflect the activity of the renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems respectively, were also measured. Results : The resistive index in the middle cerebral artery were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with ascites (0.58 0.04, mean standard deviation) than in cirrhotic patients without ascites (0.53 0.02, P<0.01) and in control subjects (0.50 0.05, P<0.01). The resistive index in the middle cerebral artery showed direct correlation with renal resistive index (r = 0.52, P<0.01), plasma renin activity (r = 0.44, P<0.01) and norepinephrine (r = 0.33, P<0.05). The resistive index in the middle cerebral artery showed an inverse correlation with mean arterial pressure (r = -0.59, P<0.01). Conclusion : The results suggest that in patients of cirrhosis with ascites, independent of the amount of ascites, there is a cerebral vasoconstriction which is related with the arterial hypotension and the overactivity of vasoconstrictor systems. (Korean J Hepatol 1999;5:33-42)
KeyWords: Liver cirrhosis, Ascites, Resistive index, Cerebrovascular resistance

Editorial Office
The Korean Association for the Study of the Liver
Room A1210, 53 Mapo-daero(MapoTrapalace, Dowha-dong), Mapo-gu, Seoul, 04158, Korea
TEL: +82-2-703-0051   FAX: +82-2-703-0071    E-mail: kasl@kams.or.kr
Copyright © The Korean Association for the Study of the Liver.         
COUNTER
TODAY : 1764
TOTAL : 1808224
Close layer