BACKGROUND: Nonselective beta-adrenergic blockers decrease portal pressure and prevent @entity548 . Their effectiveness in preventing varices is unknown. METHODS: We randomly assigned 213 @entity1 with @entity82 and @entity101 (minimal @entity99 [ @entity99 ] of 6 mm Hg) to receive @entity6839 , a nonselective beta-blocker (108 @entity1 ), or placebo (105 @entity1 ). The primary end point was the development of @entity6312 or @entity548 . Endoscopy and @entity99 measurements were repeated yearly. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 54.9 months, the rate of the primary end point did not differ significantly between the @entity6839 group and the placebo group (39 percent and 40 percent, respectively; P=0.89), nor were there significant differences in the rates of @entity843 , @entity75 , liver transplantation, or @entity204 . Serious adverse events were more common among @entity1 in the @entity6839 group than among those in the placebo group (18 percent vs. 6 percent, P=0.006). Varices developed less frequently among @entity1 with a baseline @entity99 of less than 10 mm Hg and among those in whom the @entity99 decreased by more than 10 percent at one year and more frequently among those in whom the @entity99 increased by more than 10 percent at one year. CONCLUSIONS: Nonselective beta-blockers are ineffective in preventing varices in unselected @entity1 with @entity82 and @entity101 and are associated with an increased number of adverse events. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00006398.)

Beta-blockers to prevent XXXX in @entity1 with @entity82 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity82 :: ('MESH:D005355', 'Disease') :: ['cirrhosis'] @entity101 :: ('MESH:D006973', 'Disease') :: ['portal hypertension'] @entity548 :: ('MESH:D006470', 'Disease') :: ['variceal hemorrhage'] @entity6839 :: ('MESH:D013999', 'Chemical') :: ['timolol'] @entity75 :: ('MESH:D001927', 'Disease') :: ['encephalopathy'] @entity843 :: ('MESH:D001201', 'Disease') :: ['ascites'] @entity6312 :: ('MESH:D014648', 'Disease') :: ['gastroesophageal varices'] @entity99 :: ('MESH:D056486', 'Disease') :: ['HVPG', 'hepatic venous pressure gradient'] @entity204 :: ('MESH:D003643', 'Disease') :: ['death']
@entity6312 :: (MESH:D014648,Disease) :: ['gastroesophageal varices']
