Study on elasticity of rabbit liver during inferior vena cava clamping and reopening using acoustic radiation force impulse

Objective To evaluate the change of elasticity of rabbit liver after inferior vena cava reopening using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI). Methods Seven health Japanese white big ear rabbits were used for this study. After intravenous anesthesia via marginal vein,inferior vena cava of rabbit was separated. The elasticity of right liver of rabbits was detected during the stages of baseline,20 minutes after clamping reopening of inferior vena cava using acoustic radiation force impulse(ARFI) respectively.The elasticity of rabbit liver during difference stage was compared. Results Compared with 20 minutes after inferior vena cava clamping,the shear-wave velocity(Vs) of right livers of rabbits was significantly higher than that before inferior vena cava clamping and reopening [(1.28 + 0. 13)m/s vs (0.91 + 0. 14)m/s, P 0. 01 and (1.24 + 0.16)m/s vs (0. 91 + 0.14)m/s, P<0.002]. While Vs of rabbit liver during inferior vena cava was slightly lower than that during baseline stage, but there was no significant difference of Vs between these two stages. Conclusions Elasticity of liver within 20 minutes inferior vena cava clamping is reversible after reopening vena cava. Key words: Uhrasonography;  Liver;  Elasticity;  Acoustic radiation force imaging