Effects of alpha-adrenergic stimulation and beta-adrenergic blockade on azygos blood flow and splanchnic haemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis

Summary The effects of beta-blockade with propranolol and of alpha-adrenergic stimulation with methoxamine, a powerful alpha-agonist, on azygos blood flow and on systemic and hepatic haemodynamics were investigated in 26 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol (n = 12), evidenced by a significant reduction of heart rate (−17 ± 1%, P P P P P P P P These results suggest that the reduction of gastroesophageal collateral blood flow after propranolol administration may represent an intrinsic effect of beta-blockade.