title: [The noninvasive assessment of the effects of penbutolol on liver hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients using angioscintigraphy. A randomized controlled double-blind study].
abstract: This randomized double-blind controlled study analyzed the hemodynamic effects of penbutolol, a new levo-rotatory betablocker, using radionuclide angiography. Twenty cirrhotics with esophageal varices were randomized: 10 received 40 mg/day of penbutolol orally and the others a placebo. Angioscintigraphy was performed before and after an 8-day treatment period. Three cases in the penbutolol group were lost due to software damage, hence the data of 17 patients were analyzed. The two groups were similar for age, sex, etiology of cirrhosis and hepatic function. The index of portal perfusion decreased significantly (-29%; p = 0.018), and the hepatic artery index increased significantly (+23%; p = 0.018), whereas no changes were observed after placebo. The heart rate decreased significantly after penbutolol (-9%; p = 0.021); while neither penbutolol nor placebo modified the ejection fraction. In conclusion, penbutolol decreased portal perfusion index (the compensatory increase of hepatic artery index confirmed this change) without significant modification of total hepatic blood flow and systemic hemodynamics. Angioscintigraphy is reasonably accurate, reproducible, safe and can be considered suitable for routine use in the assessment of liver hemodynamics.
authors.affiliation: Clinica chirurgica VI, Università, Ospedale San Paolo, Milano.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santambrogio
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Opocher
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiesa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gagliano
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Grugni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zatta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bestetti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vignati
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010394:Penbutolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011875:Radionuclide Angiography; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
chemical_list: D010394:Penbutolol; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
vernacular_title: Valutazione non-invasiva delgi effetti del penbutololo sull'emodinamica epatica nei cirrotici mediante angioscintigrafia. Studio randomizzato, controllato, in doppio cieco.