Measurement of portal vein pressure by 99mTc-MIBI for the evaluation of the staging and therapeutic effect in cirrhosis

The heart/liver ratio (H/L) and portal vein pressure (PVP) in 54 patients of cirrhosis with various liver function were determined by the rectal administration of 99mTc-MIBI. The H/L ratio in Child A (21 cases), Child B (15 cases) and Child C (18 cases) group was 0.49 +- 0.18, 0.69 +- 16 and 0.91 +- 0.21 respectively, whereas the PVP was 2.22 +- 0.57 kPa, 2.85 +- 0.38 kPa and 3.54 +- 0.65 kPa respectively. In normal controls (16 cases), the H/L ratio and PVP was 0.30 +- 0.12 and 1.61 +- 0.38 kPa. There was no significant difference in PVP between Child B and C groups, but has very significant (P < 0.001) and significant (P < 0.05) difference of H/L ratio and PVP in remaining groups after t test. In 16 cirrhotic patients the H/L ratio and PVP was 0.73 +- 0.16 and 3.00 +- 0.55 before treatment, and become 0.47 +- 0.18 and 2.20 +- 0.62 kPa after treatment, there was also very significant difference after t-test. It was concluded that this method for the determination of PVP is not only convenient, but also atraumatic and acceptable for the patient. Thereby, it has unique value for the staging, monitoring therapeutic effect, guiding treatment protocol and judging the prognosis etc. in cirrhotic patients