Moriyasu et al developed the congestion index (CI) to describe the degree of congestion in the portal vein for a patient with portal hypertension.
Parameters measurable on a Doppler study:
(1) linear blood flow velocity in cm per minute (may be the mean or maximal flow velocity; Siringo et al use the mean blood flow)
(2) luminal radius of the blood vessel in mm (radius = 0.5 * diameter)
congestion index in the portal vein =
= ((luminal radius in mm)^2) * PI() / (10 * (linear blood flow velocity in cm per min))
where:
• The index appears to be unitless.
Interpretation:
• A dilated portal vein with sluggish blood flow would have a higher CI.
• A nondistended portal vein with good blood flow would have a low CI.
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Specialty: Gastroenterology
ICD-10: ,
