Endoscopic variceal ligation versus propranolol in prophylaxis of first variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) with propranolol in prophylaxis on the rate of first esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized trial was conducted in 100 cirrhotic patients with no history of previous upper gastrointestinal bleeding and with esophageal varices endoscopically judged to be at high risk of hemorrhage. The end-points of the study were bleeding and death.


RESULTS
Life-table curves showed that prophylactic EVL and propranolol were similarly effective for primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding (11/50 [22%]vs 12/50 [24%]; P = 0.68) and overall mortality (14/50 [28%]vs 12/50 [24%]; P = 0.49). The 2-year cumulative bleeding rate was 18% (9/50) in the EVL group and 16% (8/50) in the propranolol group. The 2-year cumulative mortality rate was 28% (14/50) in the EVL group and 24% (12/50) in the propranolol group. Comparison of Kaplan-Meier estimates of the time to death of both groups showed no significant difference in mortality in both groups (P = 0.86). Patients undergoing EVL had few treatment failures and died mainly of hepatic failure. In the propranolol group, the mean daily dosage of the drug was 68.2 +/- 32.8 mg, which was sufficient to reduce the pulse rate by 25%. 20% of patients withdrew from propranolol treatment due to adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylaxis EVL is as effective and as safe as treatment with propranolol in decreasing the incidence of first variceal bleeding and death in cirrhotic patients with high-risk esophageal varices.
Lay
Chii-Shyan
CS
Division of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. laycs000@yahoo.com
Tsai
Yang-Te
YT
Lee
Fa-Yauh
FY
Lai
Yi-Liang
YL
Yu
Cheng-Ju
CJ
Chen
Chih-Bin
CB
Peng
Cheng-Yuan
CY
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol