Efficacy of beta-adrenergic blocker plus 5-isosorbide mononitrate and endoscopic band ligation for prophylaxis of esophageal variceal rebleeding: a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of beta-adrenergic blocker plus 5-isosorbide mononitrate (BB + ISMN) and endoscopic band ligation (EBL) on prophylaxis of esophageal variceal rebleeding.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy and safety of BB + ISMN and EBL on prophylaxis of esophageal variceal rebleeding were gathered from Medline, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Trial Registry and China Biological Medicine database between January 1980 and August 2007. Data from five trials were extracted and pooled. The analyses of the available data using the Revman 4.2 software were based on the intention-to-treat principle.


RESULTS
Four RCTs met the inclusion criteria. In comparison with BB + ISMN with EBL in prophylaxis of esophageal variceal rebleeding, there was no significant difference in the rate of rebleeding [relative risk (RR), 0.79; 95% CI: 0.62-1.00; P = 0.05], bleeding-related mortality (RR, 0.76; 95% CI: 0.31-1.42; P = 0.40), overall mortality (RR, 0.81; 95% CI: 0.61-1.08; P = 0.15) and complications (RR, 1.26; 95% CI: 0.93-1.70; P = 0.13).


CONCLUSIONS
In the prevention of esophageal variceal rebleeding, BB + ISMN are as effective as EBL. There are few complications with the two treatment modalities. Both BB + ISMN and EBL would be considered as the first-line therapy in the prevention of esophageal variceal rebleeding.
Ding
Shi-Hua
SH
Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Shenzhen Hospital, Nanfang Medical University, Shenzhen 518035, Guangdong Province, China. shding123@163.com
Liu
Jun
J
Wang
Jian-Ping
JP
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004724:Endoscopy; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008026:Ligation; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate; C030397:isosorbide-5-mononitrate