Betablockers do not increase efficacy of band ligation in primary prophylaxis but they improve survival in secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding.

Background: Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) is used for primary (PP) and secondary prophylaxis (SP) of variceal bleeding. Current guidelines recommend combined use of non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs) and EBL for SP, while in PP either NSBB or EBL should be used. Aim: To assess (re-)bleeding rates and mortality in cirrhotic patients receiving EBL for PP or SP for variceal bleeding. Methods: (Re-)bleeding rates and mortality were retrospectively assessed with and without concomitant NSBB therapy after first EBL in PP and SP. Results: Seven hundred and sixty-six patients with oesophageal varices underwent EBL from 01/2005 to 06/2015. Among the 284 patients undergoing EBL for PP, n= 101 (35.6%) received EBL only, while n=180 (63.4%) received EBL+NSBBs. In 482 patients on SP, n=163 (33.8%) received EBL only, while n=299 (62%) received EBL+NSBBs. In PP, concomitant NSBB therapy neither decreased bleeding rates (log-rank: P=0.353) nor mortality (log-rank: P=0.497) as compared to EBL alone. In SP, similar re-bleeding rates were documented in EBL+NSBB vs EBL alone (log-rank: P=0.247). However, EBL+NSBB resulted in a significantly lower mortality rate (log-rank: P<0.001). A decreased risk of death with EBL+NSBB in SP (hazard ratio, HR: 0.50; P<0.001) but not of rebleeding, transplantation or further decompensation was confirmed by competing risk analysis. Overall NSBB intake reduced 6-months mortality (HR: 0.53, P=0.008) in SP, which was most pronounced in patients without severe/refractory ascites (HR: 0.37; P=0.001) but not observed in patients with severe/refractory ascites (HR: 0.80; P=0.567). Conclusions: EBL alone seems sufficient for PP of variceal bleeding. In SP, the addition of NSBB to EBL was associated with an improved survival within the first 6months after EBL.