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Appropriate Use of Beta Blockers in Cirrhosis

  • Portal Hypertension (K Brown, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Cirrhosis of the liver from various etiologies is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries and industrialized nations alike. Beta blockers have been used for primary and secondary prophylaxis to prevent the initial episode of bleeding as well as rebleeding from gastroesophageal varices for several decades. However, the side effects of non-selective beta blockers preclude their use in all patients with cirrhosis. Recent evidence suggests that the use of beta blockers in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and refractory ascites may be contraindicated. The purpose of this review is to describe the appropriate use of beta blockers in cirrhosis taking into account emerging data.

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Ranjan Mascarenhas and Atif Zaman declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3710 SW U.S. Veterans Hospital Rd., P3-GI, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Ranjan Mascarenhas

  2. Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Science University, Mailcode: L461, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Atif Zaman

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  1. Ranjan Mascarenhas
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Correspondence to Atif Zaman.

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Mascarenhas, R., Zaman, A. Appropriate Use of Beta Blockers in Cirrhosis. Curr Hepatology Rep 14, 243–249 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-015-0278-2

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