Biomaterial Database

[Treatment of cirrhotic ascites]. 1979

J J Gonvers

The treatment of cirrhotic ascites is based on restriction of dietary sodium and fluid intake coupled with diuretics. Ascitic fluid must always be sampled and infection ruled out. Large abdominal paracenteses are dangerous. Most patients with ascites respond to the dietary-diuretic regimen. The clinician must be watchful for overdiuresis. Some patients need diuretics in ever-increasing doses in an attempt to increase urine flow and are at particular risk of functional renal failure. In these diuretic-resistant cases the ascitic fluid can be withdrawn, ultra-filtered and reinfused by means of suitable apparatus. In 1974, LeVeen and co-workers described a peritoneo-venous shunt system which provides more continuous treatment over many months. The morbidity and mortality of this shunt are difficult to determine from published reports. Long-term controlled studies are needed. The beneficial effect on survival of treatment of cirrhotic ascites is still questioned.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008103	Liver Cirrhosis	Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules.	Cirrhosis, Liver,Fibrosis, Liver,Hepatic Cirrhosis,Liver Fibrosis,Cirrhosis, Hepatic
D004039	Diet, Sodium-Restricted	A diet which contains very little sodium chloride. It is prescribed by some for hypertension and for edematous states. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Diet, Low-Salt,Diet, Low-Sodium,Diet, Salt-Free,Diet, Low Salt,Diet, Low Sodium,Diet, Salt Free,Diet, Sodium Restricted,Diets, Low-Salt,Diets, Low-Sodium,Diets, Salt-Free,Diets, Sodium-Restricted,Low-Salt Diet,Low-Salt Diets,Low-Sodium Diet,Low-Sodium Diets,Salt-Free Diet,Salt-Free Diets,Sodium-Restricted Diet,Sodium-Restricted Diets
D004232	Diuretics	Agents that promote the excretion of urine through their effects on kidney function.	Diuretic,Diuretic Effect,Diuretic Effects,Effect, Diuretic,Effects, Diuretic
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001201	Ascites	Accumulation or retention of free fluid within the peritoneal cavity.
D001202	Ascitic Fluid	The serous fluid of ASCITES, the accumulation of fluids in the PERITONEAL CAVITY.	Peritoneal Effusion,Peritoneal Fluid,Ascitic Fluids,Effusion, Peritoneal,Fluid, Ascitic,Fluid, Peritoneal,Peritoneal Effusions,Peritoneal Fluids