Liver Cirrhosis, Portal Hypertension.
Conditions
Brief summary
In the genesis and maintenance of PH associated with liver cirrhosis are two mechanisms that act synergistically. The first is an increase in hepatic vascular resistance, due in part to the disruption of liver structure inherent cirrhosis, and increased hepatic vascular tone is caused by the contraction of perivascular smooth muscle cells, myofibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells, which represents about 30% of global intrahepatic resistance and is believed to be due to the production Defective nitric oxide (NO). The second mechanism, which maintains and exacerbates HTP, is an increase of splanchnic blood flow caused by increased NO and other vasodilators at this level In this regard, we believe that in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, with portal pressure gradient\> 10 mmHg, both acute responders betablockers test as non-responders, the association of antifibrotic drugs and / or vasodilators, chronic liver selective May be beneficial in the control of portal hypertension
Detailed description
This study was prospective, randomized, controlled, double blind, in which patients who met the inclusion criteria and give written consent to participate in the study underwent a baseline hemodynamic study to determine the portal pressure gradient (GPSH). During the event, will assess the acute response to intravenous administration of propranolol. It is considered good hemodynamic response to declining GPSH \>20% from baseline or decrease to \<12 mmHg. At the conclusion of the baseline hemodynamic study patients will be divided into 2 treatment groups: a) patients responding to treatment with beta-blockers, in which she was treated with nadolol at doses of 40mg/24horas (increasing the dose every 2-3 days as tolerated, to a maximum of 240 mg / 24 hours. Subsequently randomized into two treatment arms, double-blind: a.1: simvastatin 20 mg capsules, starting at doses of 20 mg / 24 hours, may increase to 40 mg according to clinical and laboratory tolerance. a.2: placebo capsules with external characteristics similar to simvastatin. b) non-responders to treatment with beta blockers, carvedilol receive treatment with an initial dose of 6.25 mg / 24 hours, may increase to 25mg/dia if good clinical tolerance (HR and BP monitoring) and analytical (renal function and electrolyte disturbances) . Subsequently randomized into two treatment arms, double-blind b.1: simvastatin 20 mg capsules, starting at doses of 20 mg / 24 hours, may increase to 40 mg according to clinical and laboratory tolerance. b.2: placebo capsules with external characteristics similar to simvastatin. In order to evaluate the long-term hemodynamic effect, patients will receive treatment for a month and hemodynamic study will be repeated to completion.
Interventions
DRUGSimvastatin
simvastatin 20 mg capsules, starting at doses of 20 mg / 24 hours, may increase to 40 mg according to clinical and laboratory tolerance
DRUGplacebo
placebo capsules with external characteristics similar to simvastatin administrated each 24 hours.
Sponsors
Fundació Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Liver cirrhosis diagnosed by previous biopsy or by clinical, laboratory, ultrasound, * PPG\> 10 mmHg, * Presence of large esophageal varices or small varices with red spots, varices of any size and Pugh C, and / or gastric fundic varices of any size, in a recent gastroscopy (\<1 month) * Absence of previous episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding * Written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Age \<18 and\> 80 years; * Episode of variceal bleeding, * Thrombosis splenoportal axis, * Hepatocarcinoma, * Terminal liver failure (Child-Pugh scale\> 13 points); * Any comorbidity involving a medical drugs and / or a life expectancy \<12 months, * Severe chronic renal insufficiency (creatinine\> 150 g / L), * Absolute contraindication or allergy treatment with statins to simvastatin; * Concomitant potent inhibitors of CYP3A4 (eg., itraconazole, ketoconazole, inhibitors of HIV protease, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin and nefazodone), * Pretreatment (\<1 month) or other lipid-lowering with simvastatin, * Previous episodes rhabdomyolysis; * Contraindication to beta-blockers (COPD with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, aortic stenosis, AV block, intermittent claudication, severe psychosis, bronchial asthma), * Hypersensitivity to beta blockers, * Concomitant administration of potent inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 (quinidine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and propafenone) * Active alcoholic hepatitis, * Refusal to participate in the study or the informed consent claim; * Pre-treatment with beta blockers or nitrates, or endoscopic treatment for varicose veins or portosystemic shunts; * Pregnancy and lactation.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| improvement of the hemodynamic response rate | 1 month. | The main objective is to assess whether, in patients with compensated cirrhosis, portal pressure greater than 10mmHg and esophageal varices at risk, the association of a liver selective vasodilator and simvastatin together with non-cardioselective beta blockers can improve the hemodynamic response rate. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Portal hypertension complications. | 1 month | Development of complications related to portal hypertension (gastrointestinal bleeding related to portal hypertension, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy). |
| Adverse effects | 1 month | adverse effects related to medication |
Countries
Spain
Contacts
Primary ContactCandido Villanueva, PHD
Backup ContactAngela Puente, MD
Outcome results
None listed