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Effects of ondansetron on portal hemodynamics in liver cirrhosis
M Tripkovic1, F Kozjek, I Krizman
1Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Centre of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Objective:
The double-blind randomized pilot study was undertaken to compare the effects of a 10-day course of ondansetron 8 mg/day and propranolol 80 mg/day perorally in treating portal hypertension. SUBIECTS AND METHODS: 16 patients with liver disease were enrolled in the study. Measurements of portal vein diameter, portal blood flow velocity and portal blood flow volume were done at days 1, 5 and 10 of treatment using duplex Doppler sonography.
Results:
The propranolol group demonstrated a decrease in portal venous diameter, while patients treated with ondansetron exhibited reduced portal blood flow velocity values. A decreased portal blood flow volume was found in both groups after 10 days of therapy.
Conclusion:
No statistically significant differences were found between the groups with the exception of portal venous diameter which is significantly lower at the end of the treatment in the case of propranolol.