Comparison of endoscopic band ligation and propranolol for the primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in cirrhosis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To compare endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) with propranolol for prophylaxis of first variceal bleeding.@*METHODS@#We chose 168 patients with cirrhosis and esophageal varices in our hospital and allocated them to EVL and propranolol groups. Treatment effectiveness and safety in the 2 groups were observed.@*RESULTS@#he parameters of two groups were similar before therapy. Follow-up period was 8-36 months. Variceal bleeding occurred in 24 (28.6%) of the EVL group and in 20 (23.9%) of the propranolol group (P>0.05). Overall mortality and death related to bleeding were similar (21.4% vs 17.9%; 7.1% vs 6.0%, P>0.05). Adverse events related to EVL were 43 (3 of them life-threatening) compared to 16 in the propranolol group (51.19% vs 19.05%, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Propranolol may be the better choice in prophylaxis of variceal bleeding with similar effects and lower adverse events than with EVL.