Risk factors and survival of early bleeding after esophageal variceal ligation

In cirrhotic patients, esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) is still unpredictable and continues despite initial adequate treatment that is associated with great mortality. Bacterial infections are frequently diagnosed in cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). The aims of this study were to analyze the clinical risk factors and survival of early bleeding after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL).

A total of 96 cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices who received elective or emergent EVL procedure were analyzed. The variables for risk factors analysis included bacterial infection, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with or without portal vein thrombosis, etiology of cirrhosis, Child-Pugh status, and basic laboratory data. There were 19 patients with bleeding episode or rebleeding within 14 days after EVL. The remaining 77 patients were without bleeding event after EVL.

Patients with Child C cirrhosis (odds ratio, 7.27; 95% CI, 2.20-24.07, P = 0.001) and bacterial infection (odds ratio, 130.29; 95% CI, 14.70-1154, P < 0.001) were independently associated with the early bleeding after EVL. However, there was no significant difference in long-term survival between patients with and without early bleeding after EVL.

Bacterial infection and end-stage liver cirrhosis (Child C) are the independent risk factors for early bleeding after EVL. We should closely monitor the symptoms/signs of infection and empirical antibiotics should be administered once infection is suspected or documented, especially in cirrhotic patients with poor liver reserve.