Effect of perindopril on some portal haemodynamics in patients with liver cirrhosis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding

ABSTRACT

Color duplex Doppler ultrasound and intrasplenic puncture were used to evaluate some portal hemodynamic effects of perindopril [2 mg/day for 3 months] in patients with pure schistosomal liver disease and those with liver cirrhosis due to other causes. Both groups were diagnosed by liver biopsy. The 2 groups had portal hypertension and one or more episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from esophageal varices diagnosed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. It was found that perindopril produced significant decrease in portal pressure measured by intrasplenic puncture and significant decrease in portal vein blood velocity and flow measured by color duplex Doppler ultrasound in both groups of patients. There was no significant side effects produced by the use of small dose of perindopril [2 mg/day]. ACE inhibitors as a group do not affect or may improve some parameters of the quality of life