Abstract: Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonists（ARB） in treatment of portal hypertension.Methods Controlled trials were retrieved from the Cochrane Library（Issue 3,2010）,PubMed,EBSCO,Springer,Ovid,Foreign Journals Integration System,CBMdisc and CNKI（from establishment to July 2010）.References in retrieved articles were also retrieved.Randomized controlled trials（RCT） in which the effectiveness and safety of ARB used in treatment of portal hypertension were included in this study.The academic level of each retrieved trial was assessed by meta-analysis with the Rev Man 5 software.Results Of the 34 papers retrieved,6 involving 246 patients and 6 parameters of RCT were finally included.Meta-analysis showed that the effect of ARB on hepatic venous pressure gradient（HVPG） was stronger in patients with portal hypertension than in controls（WMD=-1.62,95% CI=-5.26 and 2.01,P=0.38）.However,the incidence of adverse events was significantly higher in patients with portal hypertension than in controls（RR=3.78,95% CI=1.31 and 10.96,P=0.01）.Conclusion ARB can be used in treatment of portal hypertension with a limited effect and a high incidence of adverse events.More controlled studies with a large sample size are needed.