Effects of a Long-Acting Formulation of Octreotide on Patients with Portal Hypertension

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether the treatment of a long-acting formulation of octreotide (OCT-LAR) exerted a similar effect on improving the prognosis of patients with portal hypertension compared with placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSs). METHODS: A total of 24 patients with portal hypertension who underwent TIPS placement or OCT-LAR treatment from January 2010 to January 2015 were reviewed. Hemodynamic studies, biological values, live functions, and treatment complications before and during the treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: Baseline clinical characteristics were similar between two groups. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was improved in OCT-LAR groups (15.9 ± 2.4 to 12.8 ± 1.6 mmHg). Both groups showed a slight decrease in endothelin-1 (ET-1) and urotensin II and a slight increase in oxide metabolite (NOx) concentrations with no significant difference. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase increased one week after TIPS placement when they improved in the OCT-LAR treatment group. The complications of OCT-LAR treatment were minor and transient. However, one patient who received TIPS placement presented procedure-related complications and required rehospitalization, and 2 patients had developed hepatic encephalopathy during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Prolonged administration of OCT-LAR exerted a virtually similar effect on improving hemodynamic parameters and liver function in patients with portal hypertension compared with placement of TIPS, with no apparent serious adverse effects.