Secondary prophylaxis for variceal bleeding: carvedilol vs. propranolol

摘要

Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) are routinely and widely used in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. For more than 15 years, carvedilol has been investigated as an alternative for propranolol or nadolol [1]. Due to its additional anti-α1-adrenergic activity, carvedilol might be more potent in decreasing portal pressure, but also leads to more pronounced decreases in systemic arterial pressure when compared to conventional NSBB [1].