Correlation between wedge hepatic vein pressure and portal vein pressure in 22 patients with liver cirrhosis

Objective To explore the correlation between wedged hepatic vein pressure (WHVP) and directly measured portal vein pressure (PVP) and further analyze the correlation between hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and portal pressure gradient (PPG). Methods From December 2012 to April 2014, the related data including WHVP, free hepatic venous pressure (FHVP), inferior vena cava pressure (IVCP) and PVP of patients who received transjugular interahepatic portosystem stent-shunt (TIPS) treatment were collected, and HVPG and PPG were calculated. The correlations between WHVP and PVP, between FHVP and IVCP, between HVPG and PPG were analyzed. Pearson's correlation analysis were performed for correlation analysis. Results Twenty-two patients matched the criteria were enrolled during the December 2012 to April 2014. The mean pressures of PVP and WHVP were (28.07±4.43) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (26.22±5.91) mmHg, respectively. PVP and WHVP were positively correlated, the correlation coefficient of them was 0.431 (P=0.045) and slope was 0.323. The mean pressures of FHVP and IVCP were (7.31±3.37) mmHg and (6.82±4.01) mmHg, respectively. FHVP and IVCP were positively correlated, the correlation coefficient of them was 0.845 (P<0.01) and slope was 0.711. The mean pressures of PPG and HVPG was (21.02±3.76) mmHg and (18.90±4.86) mmHg, respectively. There was no correlation between PPG and HVPG, the correlation coefficient of them was 0.014 (P=0.951). Conclusions There is a good correlation between PVP and WHVP, and so is the correlation between FHVP and IVCP. However, there is no good correlation between HVPG and PPG in this study because of the effects of many factors. Key words: Wedged hepatic vein pressure; Portal vein pressure; Hepatic venous pressure gradient; Liver cirrhosis; Correlation