Study of Propranolol in Cirrhosis Patients with Portal Hypertension: Research at Sidoarjo General Hospital

Abstract

Cirrhosis is the final stage of chronic liver disease caused by fibrosis which decreases the function and changes the shape and structure of the liver. Portal hypertension is an essential pathophysiology of cirrhosis, which can lead to an increased risk of death in patients resulting in very detrimental complications originating from portal obstruction of blood flow, such as cirrhosis or blockage of blood vessels. According to the EASL guidelines, non-selective β-blocker therapy such as propranolol can reduce portal pressure by reducing the portal venous flow through two mechanisms: decreased cardiac output and decreased splanchnic blood flow. This study aimed to determine the pattern of using propranolol in patients with liver cirrhosis in Sidoarjo Hospital. This was an observational study with a retrospective approach in cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension from 1st January 2021 until 31st December 2021. The Patient Medication Records (PMR) data was obtained from 15 male patients (68%), with the most age ranging from 56 to 65 years old (37%). The pattern of using single therapy was in 22 patients (100%). The highest use of single treatment was Propranolol (3×10 mg) with 12 patients (52%), Propranolol (2x10 mg) with ten patients (43%), and Propranolol (2x40 mg) with only one patient (5%). Interm of switching therapy, only one medication which is Propranolol (2x10 mg switch toPropranolol (2x40 mg).
 Keywords: Propranolol, Portal Hypertention, Cirrhosis