To block, or not to block in advanced cirrhosis and ascites: that is the question

To block, or not to block in advanced cirrhosis and ascites: that is the question; Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous non-selective β-blockers (NSBB), or to take arms against a sea of criticism. These words rephrase Prince Hamlet's contemplation of death and suicide in William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet. He bemoans the pains and unfairness of life but acknowledges that the alternative may still be worse. NSBBs have been studied since the early 1960s and have been a cornerstone in clinical hepatology where they have benefitted more patients and saved more lives than any other drug in this field over the past three decades (table 1).1 2 In addition, NSBBs continue to be intensively studied and have become the Holy Grail in portal hypertension. In 2010, the scientific community was shocked as data came out suggesting...
Source: Gut - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research