The changing role of beta-blocker therapy in patients with cirrhosis.

J Hepatol

Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States. Electronic address:

Published: March 2014

Cirrhosis is a leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. Beta-blockers have been established in numerous studies as part of the cornerstone of the medical management of cirrhosis, particularly in the primary and secondary prevention of variceal hemorrhage. However, new evidence has cautioned the use of beta-blockers in patients with end-stage cirrhosis and refractory ascites. In this article, we review the beneficial effects of beta-blocker therapy, the potential harms of aggressive beta-blocker therapy, and provide suggestions regarding the appropriate use of this class of medications in patients with cirrhosis.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2013.09.016DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

beta-blocker therapy
12
patients cirrhosis
8
cirrhosis
5
changing role
4
role beta-blocker
4
therapy patients
4
cirrhosis cirrhosis
4
cirrhosis leading
4
leading death
4
death united
4

Similar Publications

Background: The 'univentricular' heart encompasses a variety of congenital cardiac defects characterized by a single functional ventricle and an underdeveloped ventricular chamber. Surgical intervention, typically in infancy or childhood, aims to regulate pulmonary blood flow volume. In adulthood, untreated patients may experience limitations in physical activity and elevated morbidity due to persistent cyanosis and arrhythmias, notably after the Fontan procedure.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Congenital intracranial hemangiomas are rare benign vascular tumors that develop before birth. Although various treatments, including surgery, steroids, interferon-α, thalidomide, bevacizumab, or propranolol, have been reported, no standard therapy has been established. We report the case of a neonate with congenital intracranial hemangioma and central nervous system symptoms requiring therapeutic intervention.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Clinical trials support dronedarone use for atrial fibrillation (AF) following catheter ablation (CA); however, comparative data on health care resource utilization (HCRU) with other antiarrhythmic drugs are lacking.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of Merative MarketScan databases (January 01, 2012-March 31, 2020) comparatively assessed HCRU in US adults with AF who received dronedarone or sotalol post-CA. Patients with ≥ 12-months' pre-CA data were followed from post-CA index treatment to disenrollment, death, or study end.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: The main objective was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various medical therapy combinations in managing chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) in Iran, based on real-world and patient-level data.

Design: A cost-utility analysis employing a Markov model was conducted using data from a retrospective cohort study.

Setting: The study was conducted in the healthcare setting of Iran, focusing on primary and secondary care.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Critically ill patients with cirrhosis and liver failure not uncommonly have hypotension due to multifactorial reasons, that include hyperdynamic state with increased cardiac index, low systemic vascular resistance due to portal hypertension, following the use of beta blocker or diuretic therapy, and severe sepsis. These changes are mediated by microvascular alterations in the liver, systemic inflammation, activation of renin angiotensin aldosterone system, and vasodilatation due to endothelial dysfunction. Hemodynamic assessment includes measuring inferior vena cava indices, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), in addition to arterial waveform analysis, or pulmonary artery pressures, and lactate clearance to guide fluid resuscitation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!