What is IVC reflux?

Introduction. Reflux of contrast into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic veins on computerized tomographic pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) is a finding that has been associated with right heart failure due to pulmonary embolism and other conditions [1-4].

Does the hepatic vein drain into the IVC?

Three large intrahepatic veins drain the liver parenchyma, into the inferior vena cava (IVC), and are named the right hepatic vein, middle hepatic vein and left hepatic vein. The veins are important landmarks, running in between and defining the segments of the liver.

What is dilated IVC and hepatic veins?

Common US findings of CH include a dilated inferior vena cava and dilated hepatic veins (17,18). The right hepatic vein is normally less than 5.6–6.2 mm in diameter at the origin and dilates in response to elevated venous pressure (17). The degree of dilatation correlates with the severity of heart failure (17).

What is inferior vena cava and hepatic veins?

The three main hepatic veins link up at the top of your liver at the inferior vena cava, a large vein that drains the liver to your right heart chamber. On the bottom end of the liver are the organ’s unusual double blood supplies. One is the hepatic artery, which brings in oxygen-rich blood from the heart.

Where do the hepatic veins go?

The hepatic veins are the veins that drain de-oxygenated blood from the liver into the inferior vena cava. There are usually three upper hepatic veins draining from the left, middle, and right parts of the liver.

Where do the hepatic veins deliver blood to?

The primary function of the hepatic veins is to serve as an important cog of the circulatory system. They deliver deoxygenated blood from the liver and other lower digestive organs like the colon, small intestine, stomach, and pancreas, back to the heart; this is done via the IVC.

Is dilated IVC serious?

Conclusion. A dilated IVC without collapse with inspiration is associated with worse survival in men independent of a history of heart failure, other comorbidities, ventricular function, and pulmonary artery pressure.

What is the function of hepatic artery?

The common hepatic artery is a short blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the liver, pylorus of the stomach, duodenum, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Where does the hepatic vein run?

What is the difference between hepatic vein and hepatic artery?

The hepatic portal vein carries venous blood drained from the spleen, gastrointestinal tract and its associated organs; it supplies approximately 75% of the liver’s blood. The hepatic arteries supply arterial blood to the liver and account for the remainder of its blood flow.

Is central vein and hepatic vein the same?

The central veins of liver (or central venules) are veins found at the center of hepatic lobules (one vein at each lobule center). They receive the blood mixed in the liver sinusoids and return it to circulation via the hepatic veins….

What causes reflux of contrast into the inferior vena cava?

Background: Reflux of intravenous contrast into the inferior vena cava (IVC) or hepatic veins seen on contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) studies has been linked to right-sided heart disease including tricuspid regurgitation (TR), pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD).

What is the degree of reflux into the IVC?

Degree of reflux into the IVC and hepatic veins was graded from 1 (none) to 6 (severe). Patients’ charts were reviewed for diagnoses during the index hospitalization and for background diseases.

What are the radiographic features of hepatic congestion?

Radiographic features. Ultrasound. Early in the course of disease the main abnormality is enlargement of the right hepatic lobe. Normally the right hepatic vein measures <6 mm and in these patients its mean is ~9 mm ref needed.

How are CT contrast used to diagnose reflux?

Current CT protocols call for increasingly faster contrast injection rates, which have led to relatively frequent visualization of the reflux sign. Objective: Assess the clinical role of reflux at high contrast injection rates while correcting for right ventricular function obtained by pocket-sized echocardiography (PSE).