Journal
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
Volume 66, Issue 4, Pages 849-859Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.11.001
Keywords
Beta blockers; Ascites; Liver cirrhosis; Decompensation; Hypertension, portal; Esophageal and gastric varices; Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Categories
Funding
- Roche
- MSD
- Boehringer-Ingelheim
- Gore
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Janssen
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Non-selective betablockers (NSBBs) remain the cornerstone of medical treatment of portal hypertension. The evidence for their efficacy to prevent variceal bleeding is derived from prospective trials, which largely excluded patients with refractory ascites and renal failure. In parallel to the increasing knowledge on portal hypertension-induced changes in systemic hemodynamics, cardiac function, and renal perfusion, emerging studies have raised concerns about harmful effects of NSBBs. Clinicians are facing an ongoing controversy on the use of NSBBs in patients with advanced cirrhosis. On the one hand, NSBBs are effective in preventing variceal bleeding and might also have beneficial non-hemodynamic effects, however, they also potentially induce hypotension and limit the cardiac reserve. An individualized NSBB regimen tailored to the specific pathophysiological stage of cirrhosis might optimize patient management at this point. This article aims to give practical recommendations on the use of NSBBs in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. (C) 2016 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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