Daily variation in portal blood flow and the effect of propranolol administration in a randomized study of patients with cirrhosis
D Alvarez, M de las Heras, R Abecasis, R Terg, S Gerona, L Albornoz, O Galdame, J Torres, R Mastai – 30 December 2003 – A nocturnal increase in portal pressure and blood flow was demonstrated in patients with cirrhosis, suggesting that these hemodynamic changes may contribute to the triggering of the hemorrhagic episodes observed during the night in these patients. It is known that propranolol reduces portal flow, thus reducing the risk of variceal bleeding.