The effect of beta-blocker on intractable ascites in cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Intractable ascites is one of the serious complications after hepatectomy. Only little is known about their effect on postoperative ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis although beta-blockers have been used for cirrhotic complications including ascites.


METHODS
Here, we report five cases of intractable ascites after hepatectomy, which were treated by propranolol (1 mg/kg/body).


RESULTS
In three patients, plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentrations were markedly increased before propranolol administration, but fell to normal levels thereafter. Ascites subsided in all subjects except one, who developed cardiac dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
Beta-blockers might be a promising drug for intractable ascites in cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatectomy.
Department of Surgery and Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita City, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
Motoi
M
Kondo
Hiroaki
H
Nagano
Masato
M
Sakon
Shouho
S
Hayashi
Jiro
J
Okami
Keizo
K
Dono
Koji
K
Umeshita
Shoji
S
Nakamori
Ken-ichi
K
Wakasa
Morito
M
Monden
D000368:Aged; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001201:Ascites / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000450:Aldosterone; D011433:Propranolol; D012083:Renin