Propranolol plus endoscopic ligation for variceal bleeding in patients with significant ascites: Propensity score matching analysis.

ABSTRACT: The use of beta-blockers in decompensated cirrhosis accompanying ascites is still under debate. The aim of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) and incidence of cirrhotic complications between endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) only and EVL + non-selective beta-blocker (NSBB) combination therapy in cirrhotic patients with significant ascites (≥grade 2).This retrospective study included 271 consecutive cirrhotic patients with ascites who were treated with EVL only or EVL + NSBB combination therapy as a primary prophylaxis of esophageal varices. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Propensity score matching was performed between the 2 groups to minimize baseline difference.Median observation period was 42.1 months (interquartile range, 18.4-75.1 months). All patients had d

SUBMITTER: Yoo JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7004788 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature