Effects of Terlipressin and Somatostatin on Portal Pressure in Patients Undergoing Living Donor Liver Transplantation
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of somatostatin and terlipressin on lowering portal pressure in patients with portal hypertension undergoing liver transplantation, and to investigate whether there are differences in clinical outcomes between the two drugs. The study will evaluate the decrease in portal pressure from baseline following drug administration at defined time points. It will also compare the effects of these drugs on hemodynamics, bleeding, and transfusion requirements. After…
Conditions studied
Liver Transplantation, Portal Hypertension
About this study
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of somatostatin and terlipressin on lowering portal pressure in patients with portal hypertension undergoing liver transplantation, and to investigate whether there are differences in clinical outcomes between the two drugs. The study will evaluate the decrease in portal pressure from baseline following drug administration at defined time points. It will also compare the effects of these drugs on hemodynamics, bleeding, and transfusion requirements. After baseline intraoperative direct portal pressure measurement, a bolus dose of the study drug will be administered, followed by continuous intravenous infusion intraoperatively and for 24 hours postoperatively. Direct portal pressure will be measured again 5 minutes after the bolus dose, after the portal vein anastomosis, after the hepatic artery anastomosis, and, if performed after splenic artery ligation. Hemodynamic parameters will be recorded, and the drugs will be compared in terms of their intraoperative hemodynamic effects. As elevated portal pressure is associated with increased bleeding, intraoperative blood loss and transfusion needs will also be assessed between the groups. Patients will be followed for 7 days postoperatively for clinical and laboratory outcomes.
Interventions
- Drug: Somatostatin — Following baseline portal pressure measurement from the portal vein (25 Gauge intracath, Bıçakçılar®) (PVP0), somatostatin (Somatex®) will be administered as a 250 mcg bolus over 2 minutes, followed by a continuous infusion at 2.5 mcg/kg/hour. Direct portal measurements will be done at the time points explained in the study description. Intraoperative ultrasound (GE Healthcare®, linear probe) will be used to record arterial and portal flow parameters. Hemodynamic data will be collected during all measurements. The study drug will be infused continuously for at least 24 hours.
- Drug: Terlipressin — Following baseline portal pressure measurement from the portal vein (25 Gauge intracath, Bıçakçılar®) (PVP0), terlipressin (Glypressin®) will be administered as a 1 mg bolus over 2 minutes, followed by a continuous infusion at 2 mcg/kg/hour. Direct portal measurements will be done at the time points explained in the study description. Intraoperative ultrasound (GE Healthcare®, linear probe) will be used to record arterial and portal flow parameters. Hemodynamic data will be collected during all measurements. The study drug will be infused continuously for at least 24 hours, and up to 5 days if portal pressure remains elevated.
Primary outcomes
- Decrease in portal pressure by 20% from the baseline (Baseline (before bolus drug administration) 5 minutes after bolus drug administration Immediately after completion of the portal vein anastomosis Immediately after completion of the hepatic artery anastomosis)
Eligibility information
Study locations
- Istanbul Medipol University Medipol Mega Hospital, Istanbul, Bagcilar 34218 Turkey (Türkiye)
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.