The aim of this study was assesment of splanchnic and systemic hemodynamic effects of chronic administration (2 month) of spironolactone or propranolol, alone or in association in alcoholic cirrhotic patients. The patients were randomized in 4 groups (aldactone 150 mg/day, propranolol 160 mg/day, aldactone 150 mg/day + propranolol 160 mg/day, placebo). Systemic and splanchnic hemodynamic effect were evaluated by hepatic venous pressure gradient measurements before and after 2 month of treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Indication of transjugular hepatic biopsy
• alcoholic cirrhosis
• presence of oesophageal varices ≤ stade 2

Exclusion Criteria:

• renal insufficiency
• natremia ≤ 135 mmol/l
• vasoactive treatment in the last month before inclusion
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• positive HIV and HCV patients
• paracentesis in the last week before inclusion
• digestive bleeding in one last week
• oesophageal varices stade 3 or 2 with red signs