Carvedilol versus propranolol in the prevention of variceal rebleeding in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis: Efficacy and safety

Background and Aim Beta blockers combined with endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVL) is the most effective means for the prevention of variceal rebleeding. No data are available on the efficacy of carvedilol in the secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of carvedilol compared to propranolol as secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Methods This was a prospective, randomized study over a period of 14 months from February 2019 to March 2020. All patients with portal hypertension due to schistosomiasis with at least one episode of variceal bleeding were included and randomized to the propranolol and carvedilol groups. EVL protocol was continued in both groups. Results Sixty‐one patients were eligible and randomized to propranolol (n = 30) and carvedilol (n = 31) groups. There was no significant difference in hemorrhagic recurrence between the carvedilol (n = 1) and propranolol (n = 3) groups (3.33 vs 10%; P = 0.30). At 4 months, there was a significant reduction in mean arterial pressure (−4.13 mm Hg; 95% CI: −6.27 to −1.99; P