DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more



Angioscintigraphic assessment of hemodynamic effects of penbutolol in cirrhotics with portal hypertension. A double-blind, randomized, controlled study.

Author(s): Santambrogio R, Bruno S, Opocher E, Galeotti F, Zatta G, Grugni M, Macri M, Pisani A, Tarolo G, Spina G

Affiliation(s): San Paolo Biomedical Science Institute, Surgical Semeiology-University of Milan.

Publication date & source: 1990-08, Hepatogastroenterology., 37(4):398-402.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Comparative Study ; Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized double-blind controlled study analyzed the hemodynamic effects of penbutolol, a new levorotatory beta-blocker, using radionuclide angiography. Twenty cirrhotics with esophageal varices were randomized to two groups: 10 received 40 mg/day of penbutolol orally and the others placebo. Angioscintigraphy was performed before and after an 8-day treatment period. Three cases in the penbutolol group were lost due to software damage, hence the data of 17 patients were analyzed. The two groups were matched for age, sex, etiology of cirrhosis and hepatic function. The index of portal perfusion decreased significantly (-29%; p = 0.018) and the hepatic artery index increased significantly (+23%; p = 0.018), while no changes were observed after placebo. The heart rate decreased significantly after penbutolol (-9%; p = 0.028), while neither penbutolol nor placebo modified the ejection fraction. In conclusion, penbutolol decreased portal perfusion index (the compensatory increase in the hepatic artery index confirmed this change) without major modification of total hepatic blood flow or systemic hemodynamics. Angioscintigraphy is reasonably accurate, reproducible, safe and can be considered suitable for routine use in the assessment of liver hemodynamics.

Page last updated: 2007-06-01

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross
 
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2017