Primary Prophylaxis to Prevent the Development of Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhotic Patients with Acute Variceal Bleeding.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aim

Variceal bleeding is the second most important precipitating factor related to the development of episodic hepatic encephalopathy; but to date there are no recommendations to prevent this complication. The aim of this study was to compare if primary prophylaxis with lactulose or L-ornithine L-aspartate or rifaximin, in cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding, is better than placebo for avoiding the development of hepatic encephalopathy.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02158182) which included cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding, without minimal or clinical hepatic encephalopathy at admission.

Findings

87 patients were randomized to one of four groups. The basal characte

SUBMITTER: Higuera-de-la-Tijera F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6069577 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature