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Gastrointestinal bleeding

Carvedilol—the best β-blocker for primary prophylaxis?

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 6, pages 692–694 (2009)Cite this article

Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) and nonselective β-blockade are two effective strategies in the primary prevention of variceal bleeding. Meta-analyses have shown an advantage of EBL over propranolol with regard to bleeding rates but not mortality. By contrast, a recent randomized, controlled trial shows less bleeding associated with the use of carvedilol compared with EBL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Royal Free Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre and Division of Surgery, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK

    Emmanuel A. Tsochatzis & Andrew K. Burroughs

  2. Gastroenterology Department, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece

    Christos K. Triantos

Authors
  1. Emmanuel A. Tsochatzis
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  2. Christos K. Triantos
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  3. Andrew K. Burroughs
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Correspondence to Andrew K. Burroughs.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Tsochatzis, E., Triantos, C. & Burroughs, A. Carvedilol—the best β-blocker for primary prophylaxis?. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 6, 692–694 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2009.198

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2009.198

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