Effect of Taurine on Portal Hemodynamics in Patients With Advanced Liver Cirrhosis

The Effect of Oral Taurine on Portal Hemodynamics in Patients With Advanced

The investigators want to analyze the effect of Taurin on portal hemodynamics in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.

28 days of 6 grams Taurine versus Placebo (randomization 1:1).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients (male and female) aged older than 18 years with advanced liver cirrhosis (Child's Grade B and Child's Grade C), regardless of the disease origin (viral, alcoholic, idiopathic), who are scheduled for hepatic hemodynamic investigation
• Negative pregnancy test of women with childbearing potential
• Patient without beta blocker therapy: due to: intolerance of the medication, preexisting contraindication against beta blocker therapy, endoscopic band ligation as prophylaxis

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of variceal bleeding without endoscopic band ligation
• History of endoscopically diagnosed large varices with red spots without previous bleeding and without endoscopic band ligation
• HVPG < 10 mmHg
• HVPG > 20 mmHg and varices, unless ligated and treated in an eradication program within 6 months
• Beta Blocker therapy
• History of hypersensitivity to the trial drugs and contrast agent or to drugs with similar chemical structure
• Treatment with vasoactive or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or systematic antibiotics one week before the study
• Exclusion criteria for hepatic hemodynamic investigation
• Cardiac, renal or respiratory failure
• Previous surgical or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
• Breast-feeding or pregnant women