Outcome during follow-up
| Patients (n) | All 104 | Propranolol responder | Carvedilol responder | Non-responder (EBL group) | p Value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 (35.6%) | 38 (36.5%) | 29 (27.9%) | |||
| Follow-up, months | 19.5±9.7 | 20.9±9.2 | 18.9±9.5 | 19.5±10.4 | 0.391 |
| Variceal bleeding, n (%) | 14 (13%) | 4 (11%) | 3 (8%) | 7 (24%) | 0.043 |
| Hepatic decompensation, n (%) | 40 (38%) | 14 (38%) | 10 (26%) | 16 (55%) | 0.079 |
| Ascites | 13 (12%) | 4 (11%) | 4 (10%) | 5 (17%) | 0.031 |
| HE grade III/IV | 8 (7%) | 3 (8%) | 2 (5%) | 3 (10%) | 0.148 |
| Variceal bleeding | 11 (10%) | 3 (8%) | 2 (5%) | 6 (21%) | 0.012 |
| Jaundice | 8 (7%) | 4 (11%) | 2 (5%) | 2 (7%) | 0.518 |
| HCC, n (%) | 7 (6%) | 3 (8%) | 1 (2%) | 3 (10%) | 0.281 |
| OLT, n (%) | 9 (9%) | 4 (11%) | 2 (5%) | 3 (10%) | 0.412 |
| TFS, days | 483±284 | 504±273 | 484±269 | 417±218 | 0.046 |
| Death, n (%) | 18 (17%) | 5 (14%) | 4 (11%) | 9 (31%) | 0.018 |
| Bleeding related | 8 (7%) | 2 (5%) | 1 (2%) | 5 (17%) | <0.01 |
| Liver related | 6 (5%) | 2 (5%) | 1 (2%) | 3 (10%) | 0.020 |
| Other | 4 (3%) | 1 (2%) | 2 (5%) | 1 (3%) | 0.494 |
*Statistical comparisons were performed by log-rank test.
EBL, endoscopic band ligation; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; HE, hepatic encephalopathy; OLT, orthotopic liver transplantation; TFS, transplant-free survival.