Hemodynamic aspects of the Budd-Chiari syndrome of the liver: A computational model study

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare liver disease characterised by the obstruction of draining hepatic veins, and subsequent reduced blood return to the heart. Although many clinical BCS studies have been reported, few studies have quantified the associated changes that occur in the entire hepatic circulation. In this communication, we present an electrical analog model of the hepatic circulation that incorporates the Hepatic Arterial Buffer Response (HABR) mechanism in both the left and right lobes. Using this model we can simulate the hepatic flow under both normal and acute BCS conditions. The model can capture subtle features in the hepatic circulation, such as reduced total portal flow but increased arterial flow under BCS. This observation was previously reported in literature and may have clinical implications. As such, we suggest the presented model could be used for the analysis of systematic haemodynamic changes of BCS and therefore may be useful in supporting clinical interventions.