Study of variceal band ligation, propranolol and isosorbide mononitrate in the prevention of the first variceal bleeding

Meta‐analysis: isosorbide‐mononitrate alone or with either beta‐blockers or endoscopic therapy for the management of oesophageal varices

“…One ongoing trial (ISRCTN16334693) had to be excluded (data not yet available). In total, 27 randomized trials (described in 44 references) were included in our analyses 8–10, 17–42 . Six trials were published in abstract form 21, 26–28, 33, 35 .…”

“…Two meta‐analyses included trials with unclear randomization methods 20, 21, 33 . Excluding these trials from the meta‐analyses did not change the overall conclusions.…”