Arterial pressure suffices to increase liver stiffness

Introduction: Elevated liver stiffness (LS) is not only observed in patients with liver cirrhosis but also in response to pressure changes such as liver congestion, inflammation or food intake. We here study in real-time pressure and LS in response to adrenergic stimulation. Materials and Methods: LS was measured in 25 male Wistar rats using transient elastography (Microfibroscan, Echosens, Paris) during single i.v. injections of epinephrine (0.05 mg), norepinephrine (4 µg), dobutamine (50 – 150 mg) and sodium chloride (1 – 4 mL). Pressures in abdominal aorta, caval and portal vein were invasively measured in re…