Management of betablocked patients after sustained virological response in hepatitis C cirrhosis.

backgroundCurrent guidelines do not address the post-sustained virological response management of patients with baseline hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis and oesophageal varices taking betablockers as primary or secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. We hypothesized that in some of these patients portal hypertension drops below the bleeding threshold after sustained virological response, making definitive discontinuation of the betablockers a safe option.

aimTo assess the evolution of portal hypertension, associated factors, non-invasive assessment, and risk of stopping betablockers in this population.

methodsInclusion criteria were age > 18 years, HCV cirrhosis (diagnosed by liver biopsy or transient elastography > 14 kPa), sustained virological response after direct-acting antivirals, and baseline oesophageal varices under stable, long-term treatment with betablockers as primary or secondary bleeding prophylaxis. Main exclusion criteria were prehepatic portal hypertension, isolated gastric varices, and concomitant liver disease. Blood tests, transient elastography, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was measured five days after stopping betablockers. Betablockers could be stopped permanently if gradient was < 12 mmHg, at the discretion of the attending physician.

resultsSample comprised 33 patients under treatment with propranolol or carvedilol: median age 64 years, men 54.5%, median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score 9, Child-Pugh score A 77%, median platelets 77.000 × 10

conclusionPortal hypertension dropped below the bleeding threshold in 39% of patients more than one year after antiviral treatment. Endoscopy and transient elastography are inaccurate for reliable detection of this change. Stopping betablockers permanently seems uneventful in patients with a gradient < 12 mmHg.