title: Propranolol for prevention of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis: a prospective study of factors associated with rebleeding.
abstract: In a previous randomized trial, we demonstrated that propranolol prevented recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. We have undertaken the present study in a new group of patients to ascertain the factors associated with rebleeding. Among 232 patients with cirrhosis admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding, 127 were included. They received propranolol orally at a dose reducing the heart rate by 25%. The median follow-up period was 682 days. The following factors were studied: cause of cirrhosis; severity of cirrhosis; hepatocellular carcinoma recognized after inclusion; compliance; persistent decrease in heart rate; dose of propranolol; alcohol abstinence; previous history of hemorrhage; time interval from hemorrhage to onset of propranolol administration, and source of bleeding. The percentage of patients free of rebleeding was 71% at 1 year and 57% at 2 years. Only five factors were significantly and independently associated with rebleeding: occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma; lack of compliance; lack of persistent decrease in heart rate; lack of abstinence, and previous history of bleeding. In conclusion, this study confirms the results of our previous trial and suggests that certain factors play a role in the mechanism of rebleeding in patients receiving propranolol.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D011433:Propranolol