Beta-blockers for Prevention Of Growth Of Small Esophageal Varices In Cirrhosis: An Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Beta-blocker (propranolol) was started at a dose of 20 mg twice daily. The principle of incremental dosing was used to achieve the target heart rate for propranolol. The dose was increased every alternate day to achieve a target heart rate of 55/min or to the maximal dose to 360 mg/day if the medication was well tolerated and the systolic blood pressure was \>90 mm Hg. On the occurrence of intolerable adverse effects, systolic blood pressure \<90 mm Hg or pulse rate \<55/min, the dose of the medication was decreased step-wise, and eventually stopped if these adverse events persisted. Reintroduction of the medication was attempted if cessation of the medication did not result in improvement of the reported side-effect.

Placebo tablets given two times daily.