Villanueva C, et al. - In patients with compensated cirrhosis with clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH), researchers ascertained if lowering hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) with β blockers could reduce the risk of decompensation or death. Patients with compensated cirrhosis and CSPH (defined by an HVPG ≥10 mm Hg) without high-risk varices were included in this study on β blockers to prevent decompensation of cirrhosis with portal hypertension (PREDESCI). This investigation was carried out in eight hospitals in Spain. Incidence of cirrhosis decompensation (defined as development of ascites, bleeding, or overt encephalopathy) or death was the primary endpoint. Findings suggested that long-term β-blocker treatment could increase decompensation-free survival in these patients, primarily by reducing ascites incidence.