CONTRAST AGENT ENHANCED DUPLEX-ULTRASONOG RAPHY - VISUALIZATION OF THE HEPATIC-ARTERY AFTER ORTHOTOPIC LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION

Purpose: A prospective study was carried out to determine whether an i mproved assessment of the anatomy and flow velocity in the hepatic art ery could be achieved by the administration of a capillary transversin g contrast agent (Levovist(R)) in patients after orthotopic liver tran splantation. Methods: In 21 (62%) of 34 patients after liver transplan tation, only an insufficient visualisation of the hepatic artery was a chieved. Therefore, a capillary transversing contrast agent was admini stered intravenously. Pre- and post-contrast peak velocity and Doppler frequency shift in the proper hepatic artery were measured and image quality of colour and spectral Doppler was assessed by a qualitative s cale. Results: Image quality, with complete visualisation of hepatic a rtery in 79% (precontrast 38%) of all cases, was significantly improve d (p < 0.01 (Wilcoxon test)) by the administration of a contrast agent . Conclusions: Visualisation of the hepatic artery after orthotopic li ver transplantation can be improved by the administration of Levovist( R). It allows a reliable measurement of peak velocity and Doppler freq uency shift and helps to avoid further imaging.