Pharmacological management of portal hypertension and its complications in children: lessons from adults and opportunities for the future.

Pharmacological management of portal hypertension and its complications in children: lessons from adults and opportunities for the future. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2020 Oct 19;:1-14 Authors: Henkel S, Vetterly C, Squires R, Squires J, McKiernan P Abstract INTRODUCTION: Portal hypertension (PHT) and its complications in children are thought to be distinct from adult PHT in several areas, including the underlying bio-physiology of a child in which PHT develops, but also because of the pediatric-specific etiologies that drive disease progression. And yet pharmacologic approaches to PHT in children are mainly based on adult data, modified for pediatric practice. This reality has been driven by a lack of data specific to children. AREAS COVERED: The authors discuss current therapeutic approaches to PHT in children, including management of acute gastrointestinal variceal bleed, pharmacotherapy in prophylaxis, and established and emerging therapies to combat systemic co-morbidities that result from PHT. The few areas where pediatric-specific data exist are highlighted and the many gaps in knowledge that remain unresolved are underscored. EXPERT OPINION: Despite decades of experience, optimal management of pediatric PHT remains undefined. In large part, this can be directly linked to a lack of basic understanding related to the unique pathophysiology and natural history that defines PHT in children. As a result, meaningful r...
Source: Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Expert Opin Pharmacother Source Type: research