Portal venous pressure correction with drugs in patients with hepatic cirrhosis

The objective of this research is to study the effect of lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor drug, on portal venous pressure and portal hemodynamics in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Lisinopril effect is compared to that of propranolol and traditional metabolic support. Materials and Methods. The study enrolled 120 patients with compensated viral, alcoholic and mixed etiology liver cirrhosis of varying degrees. The patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the treatment mode. The first group included 37 patients who were treated using traditional metabolic support. The second group consisted of patients (n=45), who along with metabolic support received lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor drug. The third group enrolled patients (n=38), who in addition to metabolic support received propranolol, a medication of the beta blocker type. Ultrasound Doppler sonography was used to examine hemodynamics in spleen and liver vessels. Results. Lisinopril (5 mg/day), an ACE inhibitor drug, was found out to lower portal venous pressure effectively. Propranolol (80 mg/day) proved to be less effective. Complex treatment of patients with hepatic cirrhosis using basic hepatotropic drugs improved the clinical course but did not have a profound effect on portal venous pressure. Conclusions. Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor drug taken 5 mg/day effectively reduces portal venous pressure in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. It is twice as effective as propranolol, a medication of the beta blocker type taken 80 mg/day. Complex treatment of patients with hepatic cirrhosis using basic hepatotropic drugs does not have a profound effect on portal venous pressure.