Liver
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Central and systemic haemodynamic effects of terlipressin in portal hypertensive patients.
Cirrhotic patients exhibit a hyperdynamic and hyporeactive circulation with central hypovolaemia which may influence the course of the disease. As terlipressin, a vasopressin analogue, may modify systemic haemodynamics in these patients, the aim of the present study was to assess the acute effects of terlipressin on central and systemic haemodynamics. ⋯ Terlipressin significantly attenuates the hyperdynamic circulation in portal hypertensive patients without a further contraction of the central and arterial blood volume. The systemic haemodynamic response to terlipressin is moreover associated with the decrease in portal pressure. Terlipressin may therefore have potentially beneficial effects on the hyperdynamic circulation in cirrhosis in addition to its effects on portal pressure.