Nonselective beta-blockers in cirrhotic patients with no or small varices:A meta-analysis

AIM:To explore effects of nonselective beta-blockers(NSBBs) in cirrhotic patients with no or small varices.METHODS:The Pub Med,EMBASE,Science Direct,and Cochrane library databases were searched for relevant papers.A meta-analysis was performed using ORs with 95%CI as the effect sizes.Subgroup analysis was conducted according to the studies including patients without varices and those with small varices.RESULTS:Overall,784 papers were initially retrieved from the database searches,of which six randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis.The incidences of large varices development(OR = 1.05,95%CI:0.25-4.36;P = 0.95),first upper gastrointestinal bleeding(OR = 0.59,95%CI:0.24-1.47;P = 0.26),and death(OR = 0.70,95%CI:0.45-1.10;P = 0.12) were similar between NSBB and placebo groups.However,the incidence of adverse events was significantly higher in the NSBB group compared with the placebo group(OR = 3.47,95%CI:1.45-8.33;P = 0.005).The results of subgroup analyses were similar to those of overall analyses.CONCLUSION:The results of this meta-analysis indicate that NSBBs should not be recommended for cirrhotic patients with no or small varices.

Restrictive vs liberal transfusion for upper gastrointestinal bleeding:A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM:To compare the outcome of upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB) between patients receiving restrictive and liberal transfusion.METHODS:PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library databases were employed to identify all relevant randomized controlled trials regarding the outcome of UGIB after restrictive or liberal transfusion. Primary outcomes were death and rebleeding. Secondary outcomes were length of hospitalization,amount of blood transfused,and hematocrit and hemoglobin at discharge or after expansion.RESULTS:Overall,4 papers were included in this meta-analysis. The incidence of death was significantly lower in patients receiving restrictive transfusion than those receiving liberal transfusion(OR:0.52,95%CI:0.31-0.87,P = 0.01). The incidence of rebleeding was lower in patients receiving restrictive transfusion than those receiving liberal transfusion,but this difference did not reach any statistical significance(OR:0.26,95%CI:0.03-2.10,P = 0.21). Compared with those receiving liberal transfusion,patients receiving restrictive transfusion had a significantly shorter length of hospitalization(standard mean difference:-0.17,95%CI:-0.30--0.04,P = 0.009) and a significantly smaller amount of blood transfused(standard mean difference:-0.74,95%CI:-1.15--0.32,P = 0.0005) with a lower hematocrit and hemoglobin level at discharge or after expansion.CONCLUSION:Restrictive transfusion should be employed in patients with UGIB.