title: Reinfusion of autogenous ascitic fluid concentrated by freezing in patients with intractable ascites.
abstract: Eleven patients with intractable ascites were treated by intravenous reinfusion of concentrated autogenous ascitic fluid. The ascitic fluid was drained and centrifuged for removal of cells by a cell separator. Cell-free ascitic fluid was frozen in a medical freezer at -15 degrees C and thawed at room temperature. The fraction at the initial stage of melting contains a high concentration of protein and was thus collected and reinfused to the patient. In this initial fraction, the recovery rate of albumin was 42.0 +/- 9.0% and the concentration of protein was 7.1 +/- 2.4 g/dl. This frozen method is inexpensive and time saving, because it does not use a filter. Ascites was ameliorated in all patients with 1 to 19 times of reinfusion. Therefore, when renal function is not disturbed, the frozen method may be indicated for management of intractable ascites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Japanese Red Cross Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Hospital.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiyoda
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morikawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masuya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002469:Cell Separation; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011506:Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013396:Suction; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D011506:Proteins; D014527:Uric Acid