Endoscopic Band Ligation (EBL) Versus Propranolol for Primary Prophylaxis of Variceal Bleeding
Variceal Bleeding, Cirrhosis
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Variceal Bleeding focused on measuring Cirrhosis, Esophagus Disorders, Varicose Veins
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Liver cirrhosis
- Age between 18 and 70 years
- Esophageal varices with high bleeding risk: more than F2 and red color sign
- No previous history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding
- No previous history of endoscopic, radiologic, or surgical therapy for varices or ascites
- Do not take beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor, or nitrate
- Child-Pugh score <12
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg or basal heart rate <60/min
- Portal vein thrombosis
- Uncontrolled ascites or hepatic encephalopathy
- Severe coagulation disorder: prothrombin time <40% (or INR >1.7) or platelet count <30,000/mm3
- Medium or large sized gastric or duodenal varices
- Coexisting malignancy
- Severe cardiovascular disorder, renal failure, peritonitis, sepsis
- Severe erosive esophagitis, severe esophageal stricture, active gastric or duodenal ulcer
- Contraindication to beta-blocker
- Pregnancy
- Refusal to give consent to participate in the trial
Sites / Locations
- Korea University Anam HospitalRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Endoscopic band ligation
Propranolol
EBL+Propranolol
Endoscopic band ligation until eradication of esophageal varices with 4 weeks interval, and then follow-up endoscopy with 3-6 months interval until 36 months after enrollment
start with 20 mg b.i.d, and adjust by 20-40 mg/d reaching reduction by 25% in HR or HR ≤55/min. After reaching target HR, then follow-up according to a preset schedule (at 1, 2, 3 months after initial treatment, then every 3 months until 36 months)
EBL until eradication of esophageal varices with 4 weeks interval, and then follow-up endoscopy with 3-6 months interval until 36 months after enrollment start with 20 mg of propranolol b.i.d, and adjust by 20-40 mg/d reaching reduction by 25% in HR or HR ≤55/min. After reaching target HR, then follow-up according to a preset schedule (at 1, 2, 3 months after initial treatment, then every 3 months until 36 months)