Antibiotic prophylaxis in cirrhosis patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding:An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis

Objective:Emerging evidence suggest that antibiotic prophylaxis may be omitted in early cirrhosis patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB),which question the benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis on rebleeding,mortality related to ongoing bleeding,and the need for salvage therapy.As the management of UGIB has improved over time since the last review a decade ago,we performed an updated meta‐analysis to review the benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis in cirrhosis patients with UGIB.Method:Six electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE,EMBASE,Scopus,Web of Science,Cochrane library,and ClinicalTrial.gov were systematically searched up to December 1,2021.The primary outcome was 6 weeks mortality.Secondary outcomes include the risk of infection,rebleeding at 7 days and 6 weeks,mortality related to ongoing bleeding,need for salvage therapy,and infection‐related mortality.Result:Eighteen studies(12 randomized controlled trials[RCT],6 non‐RCT)from 3180 subjects were identified among 2129 citations.Antibiotic prophylaxis reduces mortality at 6 weeks,risk of infection,and infectionrelated mortality(pooled relative risk:0.72,0.39,and 0.41,respectively).Although antibiotics reduce the risk of rebleeding and the amount of blood transfusion,they did not reduce the risk of mortality from ongoing bleeding nor the need for salvage therapy.Antibiotic prophylaxis may shorten the length of stay in the intensive care unit.Conclusion:Antibiotic prophylaxis reduces rebleeding,6‐week mortality,and infection‐related mortality.Due to the low risk of infection and death,dedicated studies are warranted to evaluate the benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis in early cirrhosis with UGIB.

Pre-emptive TIPSS in Acute Variceal Bleeding:Current Status,Controversies,and Future Directions

Acute variceal bleeding(AVB)is associated with signifi-cant short-term morbidity and mortality.Pre-emptive tran-sjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(p-TIPSS)is recommended to prevent rebleeding in AVB patients with a high risk of rebleeding.Despite the benefit of prevent-ing rebleeding and de-novo ascites,the uptake of p-TIPSS remains low because logistic challenges in the real-world setting.In this review,we summarize the current evidence and controversies on p-TIPSS including patient selection for p-TIPSS,particularly in the setting of NASH cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure,the role of sarcopenia,renal impairment in the setting of p-TIPSS.Finally,we summarize both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies to optimize outcomes in patients undergoing p-TIPSS.