[Pharmacological therapy of portal hypertension].

Abstract

Bleeding from esophageal varices is a feared complication of liver cirrhosis with high mortality. Pharmacotherapy of the acute bleeding episode with vasopressin has been shown to be effective in controlled studies, but side effects of this therapy are high and therefore replacement of vasopressin with somatostatin is under investigation. Another potential lead is the combination of vasopressin with vasodilators such as nitroglycerin. While acute pharmacotherapy of the patient with esophageal varices is well accepted, chronic or prophylactic pharmacotherapy is still in the investigative stage. Prophylactic therapy with beta-blockers, e.g. propranolol, has been shown to be effective in compensated patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. In patients with more advanced stages of the disease, or with cirrhosis of other etiology, the effectiveness of propranolol has not been proven. The mechanism of propranolol is similar to that of vasopressin, i.e. it lowers portal pressure by reducing portal flow. To maintain function of the affected organ, an alternative approach--namely lowering of portal pressure through reduction of the pathologically elevated resistance--should be actively investigated.

• Authors: T Miotti, J Reichen
• Journal: Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift (Schweiz Med Wochenschr) Vol. 115 Issue 42 Pg. 1468-75 (Oct 19 1985) ISSN: 0036-7672 [Print] Switzerland
• Vernacular Title: Pharmakologische Therapie der portalen Hypertonie.
• PMID: 2866582 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Vasopressins
• Somatostatin
• Propranolol

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Chronic Disease
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Esophageal and Gastric Varices (complications, etiology)
• Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage (drug therapy, etiology)
• Humans
• Hypertension, Portal (complications, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Propranolol (therapeutic use)
• Random Allocation
• Somatostatin (therapeutic use)
• Vasopressins (adverse effects, therapeutic use)