The correlation between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) grades and hemodynamic alterations of the portal, hepatic, and splenic vein and spleen size.

Abstract

Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is the most prevalent chronic liver condition worldwide, affecting over 25% of the population. Fatty infiltration in MASLD leads to hemodynamic changes in hepatic circulation, which can be quantitatively assessed using Color Doppler Ultrasonography (US). In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation of Color Doppler US findings of the portal, hepatic, and splenic venous system within various degrees of MASLD.

Methods and materials: Between 2021 and 2024, 104 patients referred to Mousavi Hospital at Zanjan University of Medical Sciences were enrolled. Participants were divided into four groups based on the degree of hepatic fatty infiltration on biopsy results: normal, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3, with 26 subjects in each group (13 men and 13 women). All patients were biopsy proved. Gray-scale and Color Doppler US were used to assess portal and splenic vein peak systolic velocity (PSV), portal and splenic vein diameter, hepatic vein waveform, and spleen size. The Spearman rank correlation was employed to evaluate the relationship between these variables under non-parametric conditions.

Results: A significant negative correlation was found between portal vein PSV and MASLD grade (r = - 0.499, p = 0.000). A significant difference was also observed in hepatic venous waveform abnormality between different grades of MASLD (p = 0.043). Accordingly, portal vein PSV and splenic vein PSV had a significantly positive correlation (r = 0.209, p = 0.033). We also observed a positive correlation between the portal vein and splenic diameter (r = 0.210, p = 0.032).

Conclusion: Increasing MASLD severity is associated with reduced portal vein PSV and more pronounced abnormalities in hepatic vein flow. Routine assessment of portal and hepatic vein flow using Color Doppler US is recommended to accurately diagnose and monitor the effects of MASLD on hepatic circulation, potentially improving disease management and patient outcomes.