title: Development of ascites in compensated cirrhosis with severe portal hypertension treated with β-blockers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In compensated cirrhosis, a threshold value of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) ≥10 mm Hg is required for the development of decompensation. However, whether the treatment of portal hypertension (PHT) can prevent the transition into development of ascites once this level has been reached is unclear. Our aim was to assess the relationship between changes in HVPG induced by β-blockers and development of ascites in compensated cirrhosis with severe PHT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-three patients without any previous decompensation of cirrhosis, with large esophageal varices and HVPG ≥12 mm Hg were included. After baseline hemodynamic measurements nadolol was administered and a second hemodynamic study was repeated 1-3 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During 53±30 months of follow-up, decompensation occurred in 52 patients (62%) and in 81% of them ascites was the first manifestation. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis a decrease in HVPG ≥10% was the best cutoff to predict ascites. As compared with nonresponders, patients with an HVPG decrease ≥10% had a lower probability of developing ascites (19% vs. 57% at 3 years, P<0.001), refractory ascites (P=0.007), and hepatorenal syndrome (P=0.027). By Cox regression analysis hemodynamic nonresponse was the best predictor of ascites. By stepwise logistic regression, development of ascites was independently associated with nonresponse, whereas refractory ascites, hepatorenal syndrome, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with compensated cirrhosis and large varices treated with β-blockers, an HVPG decrease ≥10% significantly reduces the risk of developing ascitic decompensation and other related complications such as refractory ascites or hepatorenal syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Bleeding Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Servei de Patologia Digestiva, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hernández-Gea
authors.forename: Carles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aracil
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colomo
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Garupera
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poca
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Torras
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miñana
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guarner
authors.forename: Càndid
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Villanueva
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001201:Ascites / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012372:ROC Curve; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists