Xenon computed tomography shows hemodynamic change during the progression of chronic hepatitis C

Aim: Xenon computed tomography (Xe‐CT) is a non‐invasive method of quantifying and visualizing tissue blood flow (TBF). Xe‐CT allows separate measurement of hepatic arterial and portal venous flow. The aim of this study was to investigate correlations between the progression of fibrosis and hemodynamic changes in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients using Xe‐CT. Methods: Separate measurements of portal venous TBF (PVTBF) and hepatic arterial TBF (HATBF) were performed using Xe‐CT, and total hepatic TBF (THTBF) was calculated as the sum of PVTBF and HATBF. A total of 50 patients with CHC underwent Xe‐CT. Liver biopsy was performed on 42 of the 50 patients, and hepatic fibrosis was classified as mild (F1), moderate (F2), severe (F3) or Child–Pugh class A cirrhosis (F4a). In addition, eight patients with Child–Pugh class B cirrhosis (F4b) were evaluated. Results: Significant negative correlations were identified between PVTBF and progression of stage (rs = –0.622, P < 0.0001) and between THTBF and progression of stage (rs = –0.458, P = 0.0041). Conclusion: Separate measurement of PVTBF and HATBF using non‐invasive Xe‐CT provided quantitative and visual information regarding hemodynamics of the entire liver in CHC patients. PVTBF decreases with the progression of fibrosis, even in CHC patients.