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Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats
09:37

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats

Published on: August 1, 2018

Calcium channel blockers in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension

D Li1, H Lu, X Li

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University.

Chinese Medical Journal
|November 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Calcium channel blockers effectively reduce esophageal variceal pressure in cirrhotic patients. Tetrandrine demonstrated superior efficacy in preventing recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding over two years.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are widely used for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Portal hypertension is a serious complication of cirrhosis.
  • Esophageal varices are a common manifestation of portal hypertension, carrying a risk of bleeding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of CCBs on esophageal variceal pressure and rebleeding rates in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.
  • To compare the efficacy of tetrandrine against other CCBs in managing esophageal varices.

Main Methods:

  • A 2-year study involving 321 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension across 23 hospitals.
  • Patients were treated with one of four CCBs: nifedipine, verapamil, cinnarizine, or tetrandrine.
  • Measurements included esophageal variceal pressure and the rate of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding.

Main Results:

  • CCBs significantly reduced esophageal variceal pressure and portal blood flow in patients.
  • Tetrandrine showed a significantly higher proportion (87.9%) of patients with no recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding after 2 years compared to other groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • CCBs are effective in lowering esophageal variceal pressure and portal blood flow in cirrhotic patients.
  • Tetrandrine appears to be more effective than other studied CCBs in preventing recurrent variceal bleeding in this patient population.

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