Efficacy of Long-acting Octreotide (Sandostatin LAR) in Reducing Portal Pressure in Patients With Cirrhosis

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Cirrhosis documented by biopsy, or suggested by characteristic features on abdominal imaging (nodular appearance, irregular contour) along with impaired synthetic liver function and thrombocytopenia and Child Turcotte Pugh Class A or B. 2. presence of small esophageal varices, defined as varices \< 5 mm in diameter, without red signs documented on endoscopy within 3 months of enrollment 3. age ≥ 18 years Exclusion Criteria: * pregnant, lactating or of child-bearing potential and not practicing acceptable method of birth control * allergic to sandostatin * high risk varices on endoscopy carried out within 3 months of assessment (large varices or red signs) * Child Turcotte Pugh Class C cirrhosis * hepatocellular carcinoma * evidence of ongoing alcohol or illicit drug abuse within 6 months of the study * serum creatinine greater than 2 mg/dL * platelet count below 50,000 per microliter * prothrombin time 4 seconds or more greater than control * human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive * symptomatic gallstones * previous history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the past 3 months, defined as hematemesis and/or melena * previous history of variceal bleeding * history of congestive heart failure , unstable angina, sustained ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation * use of any investigational drug within 1 month prior to screening and * current use of beta blockers or long-acting nitrates, any other drug therapy known to have an influence on portal pressure (diuretics were allowed provided patients were on a stable dose for at least 30 days).