Banerjee, SBanerjee, S SChakraborty, SMukherjee, P1991-01-012009-05-291991-01-012009-05-291991-01-01Banerjee S, Banerjee SS, Chakraborty S, Mukherjee P. Short term effect of diltiazem on portal hypertension in patients with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. 1991 Jan; 10(1): 7-9http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/64085Fourteen patients of non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) with portal hypertension were put on oral diltiazem hydrochloride (90 mg/day) or placebo on a prospective, randomised, single blind basis for 15 days. Predrug hemodynamic and biochemical status were similar in both groups. Diltiazem produced significant reduction (p less than 0.001) in mean intrasplenic pressure: from 41.88 (SD +/- 6.18) to 21.5 (+/- 7.91) cm of normal saline as against 45.56 (+/- 9.45) to 43.33 (+/- 8.27) in the placebo group. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate and cardiac output (CO) did not change in either group. Thus, the calcium channel blocker diltiazem reduces portal pressure in patients with NCPF, independent of reduction in MAP and CO; this is advantageous in situations where compromised cardiac hemodynamics may prove deleterious.engAdultBlood Pressure --drug effectsDiltiazem --therapeutic useFibrosisHumansHypertension, Portal --drug therapyMaleMiddle AgedPortal System --drug effectsProspective StudiesClinical Trial