Prognostic value of acute hemodynamic response to i.v. propranolol in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension

The evaluation of acute HVPG response to i.v. propranolol before initiating secondary prophylaxis for variceal bleeding is a useful tool in predicting the efficacy of non-selective beta-blockers. If adequately validated, this might be a more cost-effective strategy than the chronic evaluation of HVPG response and might be useful to guide therapeutic decisions in these patients.