Conversion Of Propranolol To Carvedilol Improves Renal Perfusion And Outcome In Patients With Cirrhosis And Ascites

Background: In recent years, concerns have been raised on the potential adverse effects of nonselective beta-blockers, and particularly carvedilol, on renal perfusion and survival in decompensated cirrhosis with ascites. We investigated the long-term impact of converting propranolol to carvedilol on systemic hemodynamics and renal function, and on the outcome of patients with stable cirrhosis and grade II/III nonrefractory ascites. Patients and Methods: Ninety-six patients treated with propranolol for esophageal varices' bleeding prophylaxis were prospectively evaluated. These patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to switch to carvedilol at 12.5 mg/d (CARVE group; n=64) or continue propranolol (PROPRA group; n=32). Systemic vascular resistance, vasoactive factors, glomerular filtration rate, and renal blood flow were evaluated at baseline before switching to carvedilol and after 6 and 12 months. Further decompensation and survival were evaluated at 2 years. Results: During a 12-month follow-up, carvedilol induced an ongoing improvement of systemic vascular resistance (1372 +/- 34 vs. 1254 +/- 33 dynes/c/cm(5); P=0.02) along with significant decreases in plasma renin activity (4.05 +/- 0.66 vs. 6.57 +/- 0.98 ng/mL/h; P=0.01) and serum noradrenaline (76.7 +/- 8.2 vs. 101.9 +/- 10.5 pg/mL; P=0.03) and significant improvement of glomerular filtration rate (87.3 +/- 2.7 vs. 78.7 +/- 2.3 mL/min; P=0.03) and renal blood flow (703 +/- 17 vs. 631 +/- 12 mL/min; P=0.03); no significant effects were noted in the PROPRA group. The 2-year occurrence of further decompensation was significantly lower in the CARVE group than in the PROPRA group (10.5% vs. 35.9%; P=0.003); survival at 2 years was significantly higher in the CARVE group (86% vs. 64.1%; P=0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Carvedilol at the dose of 12.5 mg/d should be the nonselective beta-blocker treatment of choice in patients with cirrhosis and nonrefractory ascites, as it improves renal perfusion and outcome.