Beta-blockers in portal hypertension. An overview.
This paper describes a meta-analysis of data from the 5 primary and 15 secondary prevention studies in patients with portal hypertension, in which beta-blockers were compared with inactive control. These studies involved 1525 patients. Overall, the number of patients who suffered bleeding events was 38% lower in the groups treated with beta-blockers (p less than 0.001). The percentage reductions in bleeding-related deaths and in total mortality were 35% and 18%, respectively (p = 0.007 and p = 0.024). More detailed analysis supports the conclusion that propranolol, the beta-blocker predominantly used in these studies, is effective in both the primary and secondary prevention of bleeding events and mortality due to portal hypertension.
Lewis
J A
JA
ICI Pharmaceuticals, Mereside, Macclesfield, United Kingdom.
Davis
J M
JM
Allsopp
D
D
Cameron
H A
HA
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists