The Use of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Portal Pressure Measurements to Guide Beta-Blocker Therapy in Patients With Compensated Cirrhosis

The study will be a prospective tandem controlled trial consisting of 30 patients who are undergoing EGD followed by EUS-PPG at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center (LAC+USC). Only patients undergoing endoscopic screening for portal hypertension as part of routine clinical care will be considered for the study. All procedures will be performed with the patient under moderate sedation or monitored anesthesia care as is standard in our endoscopy unit. EGD with a forward-viewing scope will be performed initially in all patients to evaluate and document the presence of esophageal varices. Any other endoscopic evidence of portal hypertension, such as portal hypertensive gastropathy or gastric varices, will also be documented. The decision to start a beta-blocker will be made at the conclusion of the EGD based on the endoscopic findings (presence of any esophageal varices). EUS-PPG will then be performed. Using the dedicated 25-gauge portal systemic pressure measurement needle, the hepatic venous system and portal venous system will be directly accessed to allow measurements. The mean portal pressure gradient will be recorded. We will then record whether beta-blockers would be initiated based on portal pressure measurements ≥10mmHg. The peri-procedure management will be performed according to standard of care within our endoscopy unit. As is our standard clinical care for patients with portal hypertension, for patients found to have evidence of portal hypertension we will start the beta-blocker carvedilol 6.25mg twice a day will be started on the day following the procedure. If tolerated, the dose will be increased to 12.5mg twice a day after one month. The patients will be blinded to whether or not the decision to start beta-blockers was based on EGD, EUS-PPG or both findings. The patient will be followed clinically by the principal investigator assisted by a full time study coordinator and team with extensive prospective clinical trials experience