Propranolol in bleeding oesophageal varices

ABSTRACT

Forty seven cases of portal hypertension with bleeding oesophageal varices were given oral propranolol in doses that reduced the resting heart rate by 25%. Patients were fallowed up for 2 years and on each visit pulse, number of bleeds and any side effects were recorded. Eighty three% patients did not bleed till 2 years while they were on propranolol. Titree patients died of gaslro-intestinnal bleeding during the follow up, while one developed bronchospasm, which was controlled on discontinuation of the drug therapy