Comparison of the short-term effects of mepindolol and propranolol on splanchnic and systemic haemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis.

The splanchnic and systemic haemodynamic effects of mepindolol (0.6 mg, IV), a beta-blocker with a marked beta 2-blockade activity and propranolol (15 mg, IV) were studied in two groups of eight patients with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis. Similar decreases in the hepatic venous pressure gradient were observed after mepindolol and propranolol, whereas hepatic blood flow significantly decreased after mepindolol but did not significantly do so after propranolol. The decreases in cardiac output and heart rate were statistically significant and similar after mepindolol and propranolol. Mepindolol slightly decreased mean arterial pressure and propranolol slightly increased this pressure. Both beta-blockers significantly increased systemic vascular resistance. From these observations, it was not possible to demonstrate that mepindolol offered a beneficial effect on splanchnic haemodynamics in patients with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis.