Danish Carvedilol Study in Portal Hypertension

Danish Carvedilol Study in Portal Hypertension. Carvedilol in the Prevention of Bleeding in Portal Hypertension and Esophageal Varices

Patients with large esophageal varices who have not yet experienced bleeding, are normally treated with propranolol, a beta blocking agent that reduces the portal pressure and thereby diminish the risk of bleeding. 20-40% of the patients do not respond to this treatment or have to discontinue the treatment because of side effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate if carvedilol (a combined alfa -beta blocker) has better efficacy and safety than propranolol in lowering the portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cirrhosis
• HVPG > 12 mmHg

Exclusion Criteria:

• Respiratory disease that contradict endoscopy
• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Hepatorenal syndrome
• COPD or Asthma
• Treatment with vasoactive drugs within 1 week of inclusion
• Heart disease that contradict treatment with beta-blocking agents
• IDDM
• Pregnancy