Velacur

What is Velacur?

Velacur is an advanced liver ultrasound imaging tool that physicians use to diagnose and manage chronic liver disease. It is a painless and non-invasive procedure that provides valuable insights into the health of your liver.

How does Velacur work?

Velacur provides two measurements: elasticity and attenuation. Elasticity provides an indication of how much fibrosis or scar tissue you have in your liver while attenuation relates to the level of fat in the organ. These measurements help determine if you have fatty liver disease and its severity.

What to expect during a Velacur scan:

A Velacur scan is a quick, comfortable, and non-invasive procedure typically performed in your physician’s office.

You will be asked to lie down on an examination table, with a small pad placed under the right side of your back.

This pad vibrates gently to create waves that pass through your liver which are then measured with an ultrasound probe placed on your skin.

It is important to fast for 4 hours prior to your examination and wear clothing that allows access to your rib cage.

Approximately 1 in every 3 adults in the US has fatty liver disease. It is the fastest-growing segment of chronic liver disease. By 2030, it is estimated that 100 million Americans will be affected by this condition.

Fatty liver disease results from an excess amount of fat in the liver. Usually a small amountof fat isn’t problematic, but for 20% of those with fatty liver, the condition worsens and leads to inflammation in the liver known as steatohepatitis. This inflammation can further turninto scar tissue, a process called fibrosis. When scar tissue extensively replaces healthy tissue and impairs liver function, cirrhosis occurs which can lead to liver failure or cancer.Progression of Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease is considered a silent epidemic because typically there are no noticeable symptoms, which can lead to underdiagnosis. With early detection and intervention fatty liver disease can be halted or even reversed. Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a nutritious diet and exercising, can greatly improve your liver health.

While fatty liver disease may not present obvious symptoms, there are signs to be aware of, including fatigue, unexplained weight loss, nausea, and abdominal pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult your physician. If you have type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, or metabolic disease, you may be at higher risk for fatty liver disease and should discuss screening with your doctor.

SIGNS YOU MAY BE AT HIGHER RISK
If you have Type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, or other metabolic diseases, you may be at higher risk for fatty liver disease.