Portal Blood Velocity and Flow in Aging Man

Abstract

The portal blood velocity and flow were measured by means of pulsed echo-Doppler in 60 normal subjects of 4 different age groups (≤ 40, 41–55, 56–70, ≥ 71 years). All subjects had normal routine liver function tests and no history of liver disease. Portal blood velocity decreased from 15.7 ± 3.2 cm/s in younger subjects to 12.4 ± 1.7 in subjects over 71 years (ANOVA: p = 0.005). Similarly portal blood flow decreased (p = 0.025). Both portal blood velocity and flow were inversely correlated with age (r = ––0.583 and ––0.505, respectively). No changes in portal vein diameter were observed. The age-related decline in portal flow may account for the decrease in hepatic blood flow previously documented in the elderly.

Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in the elderly

“…Sato et al [36] reported that the liver mass and number of hepatocytes in Japanese subjects both decrease rapidly after 70 years old. Zoli et al [37] reported that portal blood velocity and flow were significantly decreased in subjects >71 years old compared with the values in younger subjects ( 40 years). The age at which persons Journal of Surgical Oncology become ''elderly'' depends on social, environmental, and individual factors.…”

Increasing hepatic arteriole wall thickness and decreased luminal diameter occur with increasing age in normal livers

“…However, in rat and human studies it has been shown that with older age there is decreasing liver volume and blood flow [8][9][10][11]. Older livers may have impaired regenerative capabilities associated with shortened telomere length as well as altered oxidative and metabolic capacities [12][13][14][15][16].…”

Aging related symptoms, disease and cancer in digestive system: A reference for better performance to health evaluation and promotion

“…On the other hand, since the ICG ingestion ratio was also in an inverse relationship, the authors state that there is no function loss in liver cells [14] . On the other hand, Zoli, et al, from their study on portal vein blood flow using the pulse doppler method, found that the portal vein blood flow was significantly lower at ages 71 and above compared to 40 and below; this is seen as a major contributor to the reduction of liver blood flow with age [15] . An important function of the liver is that of drug metabolism.…”