Lack of effects of nifedipine on hepatic hemodynamics in patients with HBsAg-positive cirrhosis.
The acute effects of Nifedipine on hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and estimated hepatic blood flow (EHBF) were investigated in six patients with HBsAg-positive cirrhosis and portal hypertension by simultaneous hepatic venous catheterization. The mean arterial pressure significantly decreased by 18% at 1 h after sublingual administration of 10 mg Nifedipine. Significant increases in heart rate (13%) and cardiac output (20%) were also demonstrated in our patients 1 h after administration of Nifedipine. However, there were no significant changes in HVPG and EHBF after Nifedipine. We conclude that in patients with HBsAg-positive cirrhosis who receive Nifedipine, EHBF is maintained despite a substantial change in systemic hemodynamics, and that Nifedipine is not effective in acutely reducing HVPG.
Lay
C S
CS
Division of Gastroenterology, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tsai
Y T
YT
Kong
C W
CW
Lee
F Y
FY
Lee
S D
SD
Lo
K J
KJ
Chiang
B N
BN
Chen
K Y
KY
D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D009543:Nifedipine