Carvedilol as secondary prophylaxis for variceal bleeding in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis

Abstract Background Upper variceal bleeding (UVB) is a possible complication of portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS). Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker used as secondary prophylaxis for UVB, but no previous studies have addressed carvedilol effects in rebleeding prevention. Methods A retrospective exploratory study of 57 patients with chronic HSS and index UVB treated with endoscopic variceal ligation and propranolol or carvedilol was conducted. The primary outcome was UVB-free time in the first 12 mo after the initial bleeding episode. Results Propranolol was used for secondary UVB prophylaxis in 43 (75.4%) participants (median dose 80 [interquartile range – IQR 60–80] mg/d) and carvedilol in 14 (24.6%) participants (median dose 12.5 [IQR 7.9–25.0] mg/d). During a 12-mo follow-up, rebleeding was observed in 13 (22.8%) patients, 9 (20.9%) of those treated with propranolol and 4 (28.6%) treated with carvedilol (p=0.715). Mean time from the beginning of drug prophylaxis to rebleeding was 6±3 mo and there was no difference between that for propranolol vs carvedilol subgroups. Portal vein thrombosis did not influence the bleeding recurrence in either subgroup. Conclusion Carvedilol may be equally effective as propranolol in preventing secondary UVB in HSS at 12-mo follow-up.