Clinical-evolutionary relationship of patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices treated with propranolol for the prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding
Abstract
Introduction: upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a sufficient blood loss to produce hematemesis or melena. Pharmacological treatment with non-cardioselective beta-blockers is effective in these cases; among these drugs, propranolol has proven effectiveness in reducing and preventing risks of first bleeding in 40-50 % of cases, as well as rebleeding in cirrhotic patients.
Objective: to evaluate the correlation between the clinical and the evolution of patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices treated with propranolol for the prevention of digestive hemorrhages.
Method: a prospective longitudinal observational analytical study was carried out in a sample of 26 patients with esophageal varices treated in General Surgery and Gastroenterology consultations of the Provincial General Teaching Hospital "Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola" in Ciego de Ávila, from May 2011 to May 2014. Patients were evaluated before, during and after treatment with propranolol.
Results: the time of evolution from diagnosis generally varied between two and four years; the most frequent varices were small or grade I. The third part of the patients had relapses associated with the size or varices degree. Deaths associated with advanced degrees of varices development were few. The final dose of propranolol was low in most patients and was associated with the occurrence of relapses and lethality.
Conclusions: the use of propranolol in patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices contributed to the prevention of digestive bleeding.Downloads
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