Spironolactone diuresis in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.
Increased aldosterone levels with consequent or diuretic-potentiated electrolyte abnormalities are an important consideration when patients with cirrhosis and ascites undergo diuresis. A simple clinical method using the urinary Na/K ratio as a guide to spironolactone dosage is outlined. Patients with a ratio greater than 1 responded well to 100 mg. of spironolactone a day; those when it was one or less responded well to 200 to 1,000 mg. a day.Administration of spironolactone alone (11 patients) or as the main diuretic (three patients) was a safe and effective means of inducing sustained uncomplicated diuresis in all these patients.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D001201:Ascites / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011188:Potassium / Q000652:urine; D012964:Sodium / Q000652:urine; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D013148:Spironolactone; D000450:Aldosterone; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium