title: [Spironolactone in the treatment of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis. A new therapeutic principle?].
abstract: Five patients with liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension and oesophageal varices received spironolactone in daily doses of 50-200 mg. Measurements of hepatic vein occlusion pressure at intervals of 1 to 5 months showed a pressure reduction of between 9 and 11 mm Hg. Thus the pressure lowering effect of spironolactone is about the same as that of beta-blockers. Since spironolactone is without the well known side effects of beta-blockers this therapeutic approach has wide application in the long term drug therapy of portal hypertension.
mesh_terms: D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013148:Spironolactone
vernacular_title: Spironolacton in der Behandlung der portalen Hypertonie bei Leberzirrhose. Ein neues Wirkungsprinzip?