title: Effects of fasudil on the portal and systemic hemodynamics of patients with cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, has been shown to reduce portal venous pressure in cirrhotic rats. However, its effects on portal and systemic hemodynamics have not been investigated in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of fasudil on the portal and systemic hemodynamics of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension were studied. Systemic and portal hemodynamics were measured prior to and 50 min after the initiation of intravenous administration of 30 mg fasudil (n = 15) or placebo (n = 8).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After fasudil, there were significant decreases in both mean arterial pressure (P < 0.05) and systemic vascular resistance (P < 0.05), whereas the heart rate increased significantly (P < 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the hepatic venous pressure gradient (P < 0.05). Portal vascular resistance also decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Placebo caused no significant effects. There were no symptomatic reactions caused by changes in the mean arterial pressure or heart rate after fasudil.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension, fasudil lowers portal vascular resistance, resulting in decreased portal venous pressure with reducing arterial pressure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Narahara
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanazawa
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsushita
authors.forename: Hideko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kidokoro
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Itokawa
authors.forename: Chisa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Atsukawa
authors.forename: Katsuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakatsuka
authors.forename: Choitsu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
mesh_terms: D019307:1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000187:drug effects*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D014690:Venous Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D019307:1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine; C049347:fasudil
keywords: cirrhosis; fasudil; portal vascular resistance; portal venous pressure