Should We Start β-Blocker Prophylaxis Earlier in Patients with Cirrhosis?

Nonselective β-blockers are guideline-recommended for patients with cirrhosis and high-risk varices but less evidence supports their use in early cirrhosis — or in patients with small or no varices. Researchers in India randomized 104 patients with cirrhosis and new-onset uncomplicated ascites (with no or low-risk varices) to receive standard medical therapy — dietary sodium restriction plus diuretics and large-volume paracentesis if indicated — with or without open-label carvedilol.