Document Detail


Effect of propranolol on prevention of first variceal bleed and survival in patients with chronic liver disease.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  8186348     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Propranolol has been shown to be effective in both primary and secondary treatment of variceal haemorrhage; most primary prevention trials have only included patients with large oesophageal varices. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to look at the effect of propranolol in the primary prevention of variceal bleeding and its long-term effects on mortality in unselected patients with chronic liver disease. METHODOLOGY: Three hundred and nineteen patients were included in a double-blind parallel group study in three centres to receive propranolol 160 mg long-acting (LA) or placebo. Patients were followed up for a minimum of one year. RESULTS: There were eleven episodes of variceal bleeding and 38 deaths with no statistically significant difference in bleeding rates between the two treatment groups. Child's group and history of ascites were the most important prognostic factors determining the likelihood of early death and variceal bleeding respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we failed to demonstrate a significant effect of propranolol on first variceal bleeding or in prolonging survival in unselected patients with chronic liver disease. Our results, however, might have been influenced by the low event rate observed in these unselected group of patients and suggest that careful selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from propranolol is important.
Authors:
J N Plevris; R Elliot; P R Mills; W S Hislop; J M Davies; I A Bouchier; P C Hayes
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics     Volume:  8     ISSN:  0269-2813     ISO Abbreviation:  Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther.     Publication Date:  1994 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1994-06-23     Completed Date:  1994-06-23     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8707234     Medline TA:  Aliment Pharmacol Ther     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  63-70     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Child
Child, Preschool
Chronic Disease
Double-Blind Method
Esophageal and Gastric Varices / complications*
Female
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology,  prevention & control*
Humans
Liver Diseases / complications*
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Compliance
Propranolol / administration & dosage,  adverse effects,  therapeutic use*
Risk Factors
Survival Rate
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
525-66-6/Propranolol

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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