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Nifedipine versus carvedilol in the treatment of de novo arterial hypertension after liver transplantation: Results of a controlled clinical trial
Author(s) -
Galioto Alessandra,
Semplicini Andrea,
Zanus Giacomo,
Fasolato Silvano,
Sticca Antonietta,
Boccagni Patrizia,
Frigo Anna Chiara,
Cillo Umberto,
Gatta Angelo,
Angeli Paolo
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.21442
Subject(s) - medicine , liver transplantation , nifedipine , carvedilol , transplantation , cardiology , heart failure , calcium
The aim of this study was to compare nifedipine and carvedilol in the treatment of de novo arterial hypertension after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The study included 50 patients who developed arterial hypertension after OLT. Twenty‐five patients received nifedipine (group A), and 25 received carvedilol (group B). Patients were defined as intolerant to nifedipine or carvedilol if severe adverse effects developed. These patients stopped the first drug and were switched to the other one. Patients were defined as full responders to monotherapy if there was normalization of blood pressure, and they were defined as partial responders by the need to add a second antihypertensive drug, ramipril. The 2 groups of patients were similar for baseline conditions. At the end of the study, patients intolerant to monotherapy were 48% of group A and 12.5% of group B ( P < 0.01). Full responders were 20% of group A and 33.33% of group B ( P < 0.01). Partial responders were 22% of group A and 54.1% of group B ( P < 0.01). The addition of ramipril normalized blood pressure in 19% of partial responders to monotherapy (75% in partial responders to nifedipine and 30% in partial responders to carvedilol, P < 0.01). In responders to either monotherapy or combined therapy, there was a significant improvement of renal function. In responders to carvedilol, but not in responders to nifedipine, the daily dose of tacrolimus at 1 year should be reduced to 50% compared to the baseline dose to maintain the blood trough level in the therapeutic range. Liver Transpl 14:1020–1028, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.