Congestion Index (CI) of Moriyasu et al for the Portal Vein

 

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.