Prevention of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from portal hypertension in cirrhosis: rationale for medical treatment.
We updated meta-analysis and critical descriptive analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the value of beta-blockers in preventing first bleeding (prophylactic) or rebleeding (therapeutic) and on survival of patients with cirrhosis. Both the methods of Peto-Mantel-Haenszel and DerSimonian-Laird were used to assess the heterogeneity and obtain cumulative estimates of treatment effects; the L'Abbé plot was also used for a visual assessment of heterogeneity in the direction of treatment effect. Seven prophylactic and nine therapeutic RCTs were analysed. beta-Blockers uniformly reduced the bleeding risk and revealed a trend toward improved survival in non-ascitic, well-compensated patients in both the prophylactic and therapeutic sets of RCTs. Discordant results were found in patients with ascites or in poor functional condition.
Pagliaro
L
L
Clinica Medica R, Università di Palermo, Italy.
D'Amico
G
G
Tinè
F
F
Pasta
L
L
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015994:Incidence; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D012008:Recurrence
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists