Simultaneous measurement of effective hepatic blood flow and systemic circulation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Because the disappearance rate of indocyanine green depends not only on hepatocyte function but also hepatic blood flow, the disappearance rate of indocyanine green is considered to be affected by the systemic circulation. Although the disappearance rate of indocyanine green is slower in cirrhotic patients, a hyperdynamic state is reported to be present. Purpose of this study was to evaluate hepatic function and systemic circulation simultaneously with reference to the hyperdynamic state of cirrhotic liver. METHODOLOGY: Forty-six patients were selected randomly for this study. Simultaneous measurement of effective hepatic blood flow and systemic circulation using an indocyanine green clearance meter was performed. We calculated the effective hepatic blood flow using the early disappearance rate of indocyanine green movement, cardiac output, and circulating time simultaneously with indocyanine green clearance meter. RESULTS: Hepatic function and hyperdynamic circulation could be evaluated quantitatively. The indocyanine green disappearance rate was dependent on cardiac index in normal subjects, whereas the indocyanine green disappearance rate was lower in cirrhotic patients, although the cardiac index was relatively high. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic function and systemic circulation could be evaluated simultaneously with this indocyanine green clearance meter. Hyperdynamic circulation was suggested to compensate the impaired hepatic function of cirrhotic liver. Simultaneous measurement of hepatic function and systemic circulation may be essential to studying liver function.