Treatment of resistant ascites by continuous ultrafiltration--reinfusion of ascitic fluid.
Eight patients with diuretic-resistant ascites due to cirrhosis were treated by reinfusion of concentrated ascitic fluid. In 11 procedures, with a mean duration of 21.9 hours, weight loss averaged 14.8 kg. Complications during reinfusion included septicemia in 1 procedure, left-sided heart failure in 5, pyrexia in 7 and coagulation abnormalities in 10. Ascites recurred within 2 months after reinfusion in all but one patient. Although this technique is an efficient and inexpensive method of treatment of ascites, it does not appear indicated in patients with cirrhosis and resistant ascites in view of the possibly serious complications associated with reinfusion and the poor long-term results.
D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000009:adverse effects; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D012008:Recurrence; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000295:instrumentation
D004232:Diuretics