Ascites
Background
- Abnormal buildup of peritoneal fluid
Clinical Features
- Abdominal distention +/- discomfort
- Fluid wave
- +/- SOB if massive amount
Complications
- SBP
- Hepatorenal syndrome
- Portal/splenic vein thrombosis
Differential Diagnosis
Ascites Diagnosis
The differential diagnosis of ascites is often clarified by the calculation of the serum albumin to ascites gradient (SAAG).^
- High SAAG > 1.1 g/dL – Indicative of portal hypertension[1]
- Cirrhosis
- Heart failure
- Ascites total protein > 2.5 g/dL suggests cardiac ascites[2]
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Budd-Chiari syndrome
- Portal vein thrombosis
- Low SAAG < 1.1 g/dL
- Malignancy / peritoneal carcinomatosis
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Pancreatitis
- Peritoneal tuberculosis
- Serositis
- Bowel infarction
- Chylous
- ^SAAG = (serum albumin in g/dL) − (ascitic albumin in g/dL)
Evaluation
- Ascites in females with no other reason for it = gyn neoplasm until proven otherwise (ovarian cancer)
Workup
SBP Work-Up of Ascitic Fluid via Paracentesis
- Cell count with differential
- Gram stain
- Culture (10cc in blood culture bottle)
- Glucose
- Protein
Consider
- Albumin and SERUM albumin
- LDH and SERUM LDH at same time
- Amylase
Specific circumstances
- TB smear and culture
- Cytology
- TG
- Billirubin
Management
- Salt restriction
- Effective in about 15% of patients
- Diuretics
- Spironolactone
- Starting dose = 100mg/day PO (max 400mg/day)
- 40% of patients will respond
- Furosemide
- 40mg/day PO (max 160mg/day)
- Ratio of 100:40 with spironolactone (reduces risks of potassium prob)
- Spironolactone
- Water restriction
- Paracentesis
- Consider liver transplantation and shunting
Disposition
- Frequently outpatient, once SBP is ruled out, if a known reason for ascites and sufficiently therapeutically drained
See Also
References
- ↑ Runyon BA. Management of adult patients with ascites due to cirrhosis: update 2012. Amer Assoc Study Liv Dis. 2012; 1-96.
- ↑ Runyon BA. Cardiac ascites: a characterization. J Clin Gastro. 1998; 10(4): 410-412.
- ↑ http://www.thepocusatlas.com/bowel/