title: Propranolol compared with propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrate in portal-hypertensive patients: long-term hemodynamic and renal effects.
abstract: The long-term hemodynamic and renal effects of propranolol were compared with those of propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrate in 44 portal-hypertensive alcoholic cirrhotic patients. Eight control patients, 8 patients receiving propranolol and 14 patients receiving propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrate were hemodynamically evaluated. Renal function was studied in a fourth group of 14 patients receiving propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrate. Portal pressure decreased more (p < 0.05) with combined therapy (-21.6%, from 19.5 +/- 4.8 to 15.4 +/- 4.3 mm Hg) than with propranolol alone (-12.5%, from 19.9 +/- 1.2 to 17.4 +/- 1.8 mm Hg). Serum urea and creatinine levels, plasma sodium concentration, urine volume and urinary sodium excretion showed nonsignificant changes in all groups studied. Combined therapy induced a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in plasma renin activity (from 4.42 +/- 4.7 to 1.59 +/- 1.9 ng/ml/hr) and nonsignificant reductions in plasma aldosterone concentration and creatinine clearance. None of the eight patients with ascites or history of ascites not receiving isosorbide dinitrate showed evidence of impairment in renal sodium metabolism during the study period. In contrast, 8 of the 14 patients (57%) with ascites or history of ascites receiving isosorbide dinitrate showed impairment in renal sodium metabolism (p < 0.01), as reflected by the development or worsening of ascites and the need of higher diuretic requirements. Long-term combined administration of propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrate is superior to propranolol alone in the pharmacological treatment of portal hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Sanatorio Parque, Rosario, Argentina.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vorobioff
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Picabea
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gamen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Villavicencio
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bordato
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bessone
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanno
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palazzi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sarano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pozzoli
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D011433:Propranolol; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate