Lactulose, L-ornithine L-aspartate, or Rifaximin Versus Placebo for Preventing Hepatic Encephalopathy in Variceal Bleeding
Lactulose, L-ornithine L-aspartate, or Rifaximin Versus Placebo for Preventing Hepatic Encephalopathy in Variceal Bleeding
The aim of this study is to determine whether lactulose, L-ornithine L-aspartate, and
 rifaximin are effective in the prevention of the development of hepatic encephalopathy in
 cirrhotic patients with acute variceal bleeding
Inclusion Criteria:

 -Cirrhotic patients with acute variceal bleeding, without minimal or clinical hepatic
 encephalopathy according to PHES, CFF and West-Haven criteria

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Age under 18 year-old or over 65 year-old, with any other neuropsychiatric disorder or
 dementia, presence of active bacterial or fungal infections, receiving antibiotics for
 any cause, previous diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy and receiving therapy with
 lactulose, rifaximin, L-ornithine L-aspartate, source of bleeding different from
 variceal origin, serum creatinine greater than 2.0 mg/dl or with chronic renal
 failure. Therapy in the previous six months with any of the drugs that will be used in
 this clinical trial.