Endoscopic Band Ligation (EBL) Versus Propranolol for Primary Prophylaxis of Variceal Bleeding

Inclusion Criteria: * Liver cirrhosis * Age between 18 and 70 years * Esophageal varices with high bleeding risk: more than F2 and red color sign * No previous history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding * No previous history of endoscopic, radiologic, or surgical therapy for varices or ascites * Do not take beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor, or nitrate * Child-Pugh score \<12 Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with systolic blood pressure \<100 mmHg or basal heart rate \<60/min * Portal vein thrombosis * Uncontrolled ascites or hepatic encephalopathy * Severe coagulation disorder: prothrombin time \<40% (or INR \>1.7) or platelet count \<30,000/mm3 * Medium or large sized gastric or duodenal varices * Coexisting malignancy * Severe cardiovascular disorder, renal failure, peritonitis, sepsis * Severe erosive esophagitis, severe esophageal stricture, active gastric or duodenal ulcer * Contraindication to beta-blocker * Pregnancy * Refusal to give consent to participate in the trial