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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2010; 16(39): 5009-5010
Published online Oct 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i39.5009
Published online Oct 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i39.5009
Haemodynamic and renal effects of tadalafil in patients with cirrhosis
Georgios N Kalambokis, Epameinondas V Tsianos, 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, University Hospital, Medical School of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece
Paraskevi Kosta, Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Ioannina 45110, Greece
Konstantinos Pappas, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Ioannina 45110, Greece
Author contributions: Kalambokis GN performed the research, analyzed the data and wrote the paper; Kosta P performed the portal haemodynamic study; Pappas K performed the haemodynamic measurements; Tsianos EV was the leading investigator, corrected the manuscript and was ultimately responsible for the data and their use.
Correspondence to: Epameinondas V Tsianos, MD, PhD, AGAF, Professor, 1st Division of Internal Medicine and Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, University Hospital, Medical School of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece. etsianos@cc.uoi.gr
Telephone: +30-26510-97501 Fax: +30-26510-97016
Received: June 29, 2010
Revised: July 25, 2010
Accepted: August 1, 2010
Published online: October 21, 2010
Revised: July 25, 2010
Accepted: August 1, 2010
Published online: October 21, 2010
Abstract
A recent report introduced the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition by vardenafil as a novel treatment of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. In the herein presented “letter to the editor”, the administration of tadalafil did not influence portal haemodynamics but impaired systemic haemodynamics in patients with cirrhosis. Our observations concur with the results of a report in a previous issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology (October 2008). Moreover, tadalafil adversely affected renal function in patients with decompensated liver disease.