Backgrounds and Methods: Prophylactic antibiotics is recommended for cirrhotic patients with acute variceal bleeding (AVB) in the guidelines. However, the frequency of prophylactic antibiotics administration and its effect on prognosis in our country is unknown. To address this issue, date from 144 cirrhotic patients with AVB after emergent endoscopic variceal ligation treatment were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the frequency of prophylactic antibiotics administration and its impact on the incidence of infection and 6-week mortality after ligation therapy.

Results: Prophylactic antibiotics were administered in 16 patients (11.1%). Although infection occurred in 18 patients, there was no significant difference in the occurrence rates of infection between prophylactic and non-prophylactic group (2/16 vs. 16/138, p=0.627). Thirty nine patients, including four cases in prophylactic group and 35 in non-prophylactic group, died within 6 weeks. Prophylactic antibiotics administration did not affect 6-week mortality (p=0.554). Conclusions: The frequency of prophylactic antibiotics administration was low and not related with 6-week mortality. Prospective study is needed to reveal the adequate application of prophylactic antibiotics use for cirrhotic patients with AVB in our country.