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Gillespie SL, Hanrahan TP, Rockey DC, Majumdar A, Hayes PC. Review article: controversies surrounding the use of carvedilol and other beta blockers in the management of portal hypertension and cirrhosis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 57:454-463. [PMID: 36691947 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced chronic liver disease is an increasing cause of premature morbidity and mortality in the UK. Portal hypertension is the primary driver of decompensation, including the development of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy and variceal haemorrhage. Non-selective beta blockers (NSBB) reduce portal pressure and are well established in the prevention of variceal haemorrhage. Carvedilol, a newer NSBB, is more effective at reducing portal pressure due to additional α-adrenergic blockade and has additional anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. AIM To summarise the available evidence on the use of beta blockers, specifically carvedilol, in cirrhosis, focussing on when and why to start METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature search of PubMed for relevant publications. RESULTS International guidelines advise the use of NSBB in primary prophylaxis against variceal haemorrhage in those with high-risk varices, with substantial evidence of efficacy comparable with endoscopic band ligation (EBL). NSBB are also well established in secondary prophylaxis, in combination with EBL. More controversial is their use in patients without large varices, but with clinically significant portal hypertension. However, there is gathering evidence that NSBB, particularly carvedilol, reduce the risk of decompensation and improve survival. While caution is advised in patients with advanced cirrhosis and refractory ascites, recent evidence suggests that NSBB can continue to be used safely, and that premature discontinuation may be detrimental. CONCLUSIONS With increasing evidence of benefit independent of variceal bleeding, namely retardation of decompensation and improvement in survival, it is time to consider whether carvedilol should be offered to all patients with advanced chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Timothy P Hanrahan
- Centre for Liver and Digestive Disorders, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Don C Rockey
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Avik Majumdar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia.,The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter C Hayes
- Centre for Liver and Digestive Disorders, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Sauerbruch T, Hennenberg M, Trebicka J, Schierwagen R. Beta-blockers in patients with liver cirrhosis: Pragmatism or perfection? Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1100966. [PMID: 36743678 PMCID: PMC9891090 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1100966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
With increasing decompensation, hyperdynamic circulatory disturbance occurs in liver cirrhosis despite activation of vasoconstrictors. Here, the concept of a therapy with non-selective beta-blockers was established decades ago. They lower elevated portal pressure, protect against variceal hemorrhage, and may also have pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects. Recently, the beneficial effect of carvedilol, which blocks alpha and beta receptors, has been highlighted. Carvedilol leads to "biased-signaling" via recruitment of beta-arrestin. This effect and its consequences have not been sufficiently investigated in patients with liver cirrhosis. Also, a number of questions remain open regarding the expression of beta-receptors and its intracellular signaling and the respective consequences in the intra- and extrahepatic tissue compartments. Despite the undisputed role of non-selective beta-blockers in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, we still can improve the knowledge as to when and how beta-blockers should be used in which patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilman Sauerbruch
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin Hennenberg
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robert Schierwagen
- Department of Internal Medicine B, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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An Y, Xu X, Ren T, Tong Z, Romeiro FG, Mancuso A, Guo X, Qi X. Adherence to Non-Selective Beta Blockers for Prevention of Variceal Bleeding in Cirrhotic Patients. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:6713-6724. [PMID: 34675632 PMCID: PMC8520848 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s326192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Long-term use of non-selective beta blockers (NSBBs) is essential for the prevention of esophageal variceal bleeding in liver cirrhosis but may impair the patient's adherence. The present study aimed to investigate the adherence to NSBBs to prevent variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients. METHODS All patients who had an indication of NSBBs for the prophylaxis of variceal bleeding between February 2018 and June 2019 were screened. Clinical pharmacists gave pre-medication education and recorded the adherence to NSBBs during the patients' hospitalizations. Factors associated with poor adherence were evaluated by univariate logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. The relationship between poor adherence during follow-up and variceal bleeding after discharge was also evaluated. RESULTS Overall, 108 patients were screened, of whom 12 were intolerant to NSBBs. Among the 96 remaining patients who could take NSBBs, the average change of heart rate after NSBBs was -10.49 b.p.m. Twenty-two (22.9%) patients had poor adherence to NSBBs due to their refusal to take NSBBs (n = 2), complete forgetfulness to take NSBBs (n = 10), and refusal or forgetfulness to monitor heart rate (n = 10). Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only older age was significantly associated with poor adherence (OR: 1.065, 95% CI: 1.019-1.114, P = 0.005). Patients with poor adherence during follow-up were more likely to develop variceal bleeding after discharge. CONCLUSION A significant proportion of cirrhotic patients had poor adherence to NSBBs during their hospitalizations. Further studies should explore how to improve the patient's adherence to NSBBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang An
- Liver Cirrhosis Study Group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People’s Republic of China
- Postgraduate College, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangbo Xu
- Liver Cirrhosis Study Group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People’s Republic of China
- Postgraduate College, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tianshu Ren
- Liver Cirrhosis Study Group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People’s Republic of China
- Postgraduate College, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenhua Tong
- Liver Cirrhosis Study Group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People’s Republic of China
- Section of Medical Service, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fernando Gomes Romeiro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Botucatu Medical School, UNESP – Univ Estadual Paulista. Av. Prof. Mário Rubens Guimarães Montenegro, s/n Distrito de Rubião Jr, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Andrea Mancuso
- Medicina Interna 1, ARNAS-Civico, Di Cristina-Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Xiaozhong Guo
- Liver Cirrhosis Study Group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xingshun Qi
- Liver Cirrhosis Study Group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110840, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Xingshun Qi; Xiaozhong Guo Email ;
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