[Endoscopic sclerotization of esophageal varices and nitrates in the treatment of portal hypertension with bleeding esophageal varices].

The authors investigated changes of some haemodynamic parameters after sclerotization of oesophageal varices and after administration of isosorbide dinitrate in the preparation Iso Mack retard. Twenty patients with cirrhosis of the liver with oesophageal varices grade 3-4 were treated by endoscopic sclerotization only, while to a second comparable group of cirrhotic patients from the first stage of sclerotization oral Iso Mack retard was administered in daily doses of 80-120 mg, depending on tolerance. The haemodynamic parameters were investigated before the onset of treatment and again after completed sclerotherapy or at least three-month treatment with ISDN. After sclerotization of oesophageal varices the pressure in the portal circulation rises significantly as well as the flow through the portal vein due above all to an accelerated blood flow. On the other hand, ISDN prevents a rise of portal hypertension and leads even to a slight decline which is, however, not associated with a decline of the portal flow. A relative disadvantage is the adverse effect on systemic haemodynamics after large nitrate doses. The decline of the portal pressure caused by the vasodilatating effect of ISDN in the splanchnic and portal area is manifested in a very positive way by reduction of relapses of haemorrhage from oesophageal varices. ISDN may play a positive role in the treatment of portal hypertension with oesophageal varices, during acute haemorrhage as well as in the prevention of relapses of haemorrhage. A particularly favourable procedure is the combination with sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices. None of the procedures leads to reduction of the portal flow and preserves hepatic function.