Electrohepatogram in pathologic liver conditions

We have recently studied the electric activity of the liver in both a norma l canine model and in humans, and could characterize an electrohepatogram ( EHG). Regular and reproducible slow waves or pacesetter potentials (PPs) we re recorded. Hepatoarrhythmic electric activity was registered in liver ins ult of a canine model and in liver cirrhosis. The current communication stu died the hepatic electric activity in liver diseases aiming at identifying an EHG for the different pathologic conditions, to be used as an investigat ive tool in their diagnosis. 55 subjects were studied: 10 with hepatocellul ar cancer (7 men, 3 women; age 53.7 years), 16 with acute hepatitis (10 men , 6 women; 42.2 years), 14 with metastatic liver deposits (9 men, 5 women; 53.1 years), and 15 healthy volunteers as controls (10 men, 5 women, 43.6 y ears). Three electrodes were placed 1.5 - 2 cm below and parallel to the co stal margin and 4 to 5 cm apart. They were connected to a Beckman R611 reco rder. At least two 20-minute recording sessions were performed for each sub ject. The PPs of the healthy volunteers exhibited a regular rhythm with ide ntical and reproducible frequency and amplitude from the3 electrodes in the same subject. The EHG of the hepatocellular cancer patients showed a 'hepa toarrhythmic' pattern; the waves had irregular frequency and amplitude. In acute hepatitis 2 patterns were encountered: 'silent', which occurred in th e preicteric and icteric stages, and 'hepatoarrhythmic' which occurred in t he convalescent stage. The liver which had a few metastatic deposits exhibi ted a hepatoarrhythmic pattern and the liver with numerous deposits present ed a 'silent' pattern. The aforementioned patterns were reproducible. In co nclusion, different patterns were recorded in the various liver diseases. T he patterns seem to reflect the liver cell function. A normal EHG was recor ded from the healthy liver, while a silent EHG was registered from the pres umably non-functioning liver cells. Hepatoarrhythmia occurred probably when the liver function was impaired. Electrohepatograhy is a simple, easy, non -invasive, and non-radiologic procedure. It is suggested to serve as an inv estigative tool in the diagnosis of liver diseases.