Gerontology · 2009 · 64 citations · 0 references
EducationGeriatric MedicinePhysiologyAgingGerontologyHepatologyAge-related Physiologic ChangesAge-related Physiological ChangesAging PhysiologyHepatic PathophysiologyLiver Blood FlowLiver DiseaseBlood FlowHepatic AgingHepatic Blood Flow MeasurementHepatic Function ChangesHepatic Function TestsPortal HemodynamicsPortal Venous DopplerPortal Venous Flow Dynamics
The portal blood velocity and flow were measured by means of pulsed echo-Doppler in 60 normal subjects of 4 different age groups (less than or equal to 40, 41-55, 56-70, greater than or equal to 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.