The Vascular Lab at Lexington Surgeons

The portal vein collects blood from the intestines and delivers it to the liver. The Portal Venous Duplex measures the size of the vein and the direction of blood flow. In cases of severe liver disease, the portal vein is dilated and the direction of blood flow is reversed. The blood flow in veins leaving the liver (hepatic veins) is also evaluated.

In this examination, gel is applied to the skin of the abdomen. A transducer (a handheld device) is then used to scan the veins in the abdomen. Measurements of the images of the veins are used to assess the presence of signficant liver disease.