Carvedilol vs. Propranolol in Second Prophylaxis of Variceal Bleeding

Sichuan University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Portal Hypertension; Cirrhosis, Liver; Varice Bleed

Treatments: Drug: Propranolol; Drug: Carvedilol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05651789

NSBB-RVB

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of carvedilol versus propranolol, combined with routine endoscopic treatment, in the secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis.

Full description

Non-selective beta blockers combined with endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVL) is the most effective methods for the prevention of variceal bleeding. Carvedilol has emerged as the preferred NSBB for treating portal hypertension in compensated cirrhosis due to strong evidence demonstrating that it has a more pronounced effect than propranolol to reduce the hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG), together with good patient acceptability and safety profile. However, No data from prospectively designed trials are available on the efficacy of carvedilol in the secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of carvedilol compared to propranolol as secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. All cirrhotic patients with at least one episode of variceal bleeding were included and randomized to the carvedilol or propranolol groups. EVL protocol was routinely performed in both groups. Variceal rebleeding, further decompensation, liver-related death, and overall survival was the outcomes of this trial.

Enrollment: 160 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Between 18 and 80 years old;
• With liver cirrhosis diagnosed by previous biopsy or by clinical criteria, and analytical image;
• At least 5 days after index variceal bleeding;
• Informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Refusal to participate in the study;
• Portal hypertension resulting from other causes than liver cirrhosis;
• More than 42 days after index variceal bleeding;
• Bleeding from cardiofundal gastric varices;
• Portal venous thrombosis >50% of the portal vein trunk;
• Contraindications to beta-blockers (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrioventricular block, heart failure, bradycardia with HR ≤40 bpm, arteria hypotension with systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg, peripheral arterial disease, uncontrolled diabetes);
• Prior NSBB+EVL combined treatment, TIPS implantation or surgical shunt as secondary prophylaxis of variceal bledding;
• Chronic kidney disease;
• Pregnancy or lactation;
• Neoplastic disease.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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160 participants in 2 patient groups

Carvedilol

Experimental group

Description:

Carvedilol is started at a dose of 6.25mg/d, and titrated to a maximum dose of 12.5mg/d. Doses are increased 3 days later. Avoid systolic blood pressure \<90 mmHg.

Treatment:

Drug: Carvedilol

Propranolol

Active Comparator group

Description:

Propranolol is started at a dose of 20 mg/d and the dose will be increased by 10 mg twice a day steps every 2-3 days until the target (heart rate: 55\~60 bpm) or to a maximum dose of 160 mg/d. Systolic arterial pressure is not less than 90 mm Hg and heart rate is not less than 50 bpm.

Treatment:

Drug: Propranolol