Abstract: AIM: To study the efficacy of propranolol combined with omeprazole with maintenance therapy in prevention of the patients with rebleeding caused by rupture of esophageal and gastric varices.METHODS: 85 cases patients with hepatocirrhosis portal hypertension were divided into two groups randomly: group Ⅰ (propranolol, n=42) and group Ⅱ (propranolol plus omeprazole, n=43).The duration of maintenance therapy was six months, and followed up one year.The aggravation of esophageal and gastric varices, recurrence rates of hemorrhage and the lesions of gastric mucosa were examined and evaluated by gastroendoscopy before and after the period of treatment.RESULTS: After one year's observation, the aggravation of esophageal and gastric varices among two groups had not significant difference (P>0.05);the annual recurrence rates of hemorrhage of group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ were 35.0% and 15.0% respectively, the recurrence rates of hemorrhage in group Ⅱ was significantly lower than that of group Ⅰ (P<0.05), The total effective rates in improving gastric mucosa was 92.5% in group Ⅱ, while 60.0% in group Ⅰ,which was significantly lower than that of group Ⅱ(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The effect of propranolol plus omeprazole in prevention of the patients with rebleeding caused by rupture of esophageal and gastric varices is effective.

Key words: propranolol, omeprazole, esophageal varices, gastric varices, hemorrhage prevention