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Table 3 Comparison of characteristics and outcomes of patients initially taking NSBBs and continuing or discontinuing NSBBs at subsequent time points following initial visit for liver transplant evaluation. Values shown as median (interquartile range) or number (percentage). Patients taking stopping NSBB by a median interval of 113 days are compared for clinical parameters at that time and outcomes in the subsequent 90 days or until the next clinical evaluation. Patients subsequently stopping NSBB before evaluation at a median interval of 238 days from baseline are compared for clinical parameters at that time and outcomes in the subsequent 90 days

From: Non-selective beta blocker use is associated with improved short-term survival in patients with cirrhosis referred for liver transplantation

Clinical characteristics

Baseline evaluation

First clinical re-evaluation

Median 113 days from baseline

n = 45

Second clinical re-evaluation

Median 238 days from baseline

n = 21

NSBB

N = 65

On NSBB

n = 34

Not on NSBB

n = 9

On NSBB

n = 18

Not on NSBB

n = 3

Mean arterial pressure, mmHg

82 (76–93)

89 (75–96)

79 (73–84)

85 (79–96)

87 (69–95)

MELD

16 (14–19)

**15 (12–19)

**23 (17–27)

14 (12–17)

14 (11–21)

Creatinine (mg/dL)

1.1 (0.8–1.4)

*1 (0.8–1.3)

*1.8 (1–2.2)

0.9 (0.7–1.3)

0.8 (0.7–1.5)

Child Pugh Score

10 (9–11)

10 (8–11)

11 (10–12)

9 (8–10)

8 (7–12)

NSBB at baseline

 Propranolol

36 (56%)

**15 (45%)

**9 (100%)

7 (35%)

2 (67%)

 Nadolol

19 (29%)

12 (35%)

None

9 (53%)

None

 Carvedilol

10 (15%)

7 (20%)

None

2 (12%)

1 (33%)

Clinical events occurring after the specified evaluation

 Acute kidney injury

14 (21%)

3 (9%)

None

**None

**1 (5%)

 Gastrointestinal bleedinga

None

None

None

None

None

 Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

4 (6%)

None

None

1 (5%)

None

 Liver transplant

1 (2%)

6 (18%)

1 (11%)

None

None

 Mortality

4 (8%)

*1 (3%)

*2 (22%)

1 (5%)

None

 Lost to follow up

None

None

None

2 (12%)

1 (13%)

  1. Abbreviations: MELD model for end-stage liver disease, NSBB non-selective beta blockers
  2. aRelated to portal hypertension
  3. *p < 0.1 for comparison
  4. **p < 0.05 for comparison