Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging (ARFI) in Patients After Liver Transplantation

Aims: Prospective evaluation of the applicability of acoustic radiation force impulse(ARFI) imaging to assess liver fibrosis in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Material and methods: We prospectively assess the performance of ARFI imaging in planned 100 patients after orthotopic liver transplantation. We evaluate shear wave velocity of the left and right liver lobe with the convex array (6C1HD)ultrasound transducer and compare the results with clinical data and B-mode criteria.

ARFI elastometry is an increasingly popular non-invasive method for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. To date, ARFI technology has not been applied systematically in patients after orthotopic liver transplantation. Therefore we want to establish standard values in this population.