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Background & Aims:: Postprandial increases in portal pressure may influence esophageal variceal rupture. The effects of chronic propranolol and octreotide (100 and 200 @mg subcutaneously in a single dose) on postprandial hemodynamics were evaluated. Methods:: First study: 36 cirrhotic patients were studied at baseline and 30 and 60 minutes after a standard meal and then treated with propranolol (139 +/- 9 mg/d during 39 +/- 2 days). Second study: After baseline measurements, patients were randomized into 3 groups: (1) placebo, (2) octreotide (100 @mg), or (3) octreotide (200 @mg) (n = 12 for each group). Thirty minutes postinjection a new base-line was established and measurements were repeated 30 and 60 minutes after the meal. Results:: First study: Baseline portal pressure was 18.1 +/- 1.2 mm Hg, 30 and 60 minutes after the meal it was 21.5 +/- 0.8 mm Hg and 20.5 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, respectively (both P < 0.01 vs. baseline). Cardiac index (Cl) was 4.5 +/- 0.2, 4.8 +/- 0.2, and 4.9 +/- 0.2 L . min^-^1 . m^-^2, respectively (both P < 0.05 vs. baseline). Peripheral vascular resistance was 1012 +/- 56, 902 +/- 51 (P = NS), and 884 +/- 49 dynes . sec . cm^-^5 (P < 0.05 vs. baseline), respectively. Second study: Propranolol and placebo did not blunt postprandial increase in portal pressure. Octreotide (100 @mg) partially ameliorated postprandial increase in portal pressure. Octreotide (200 @mg) significantly enhanced the portal hypotensive effect of propranolol and blunted the postprandial increase in portal pressure. Conclusions:: Octreotide blunts postprandial increase in portal pressure not prevented by long-term propranolol administration.