The value of serum-ascites albumin gradient for the determination of portal hypertension in the diagnosis of ascites.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between serum-ascites albumin gradient and portal pressure gradient in a population with ascites related to multiple conditions.


METHODS
Thirty-seven patients were divided into two groups: group 1: 30 patients with cirrhosis as the cause of ascites, and group 2: 7 patients with ascites due to other causes. All patients were submitted to paracentesis and blood examination to determine the serum-ascites albumin gradient and the hepatic venous pressure gradient was measured.


RESULTS
Mean serum-ascites albumin gradient was 2.0 g/dL in group 1 and 0.6 g/dL in group 2. Mean hepatic venous pressure gradient was 14.7 mm Hg in group 1 and 1.3 mm Hg in group 2.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a significant correlation between the serum-ascites albumin gradient and the hepatic venous pressure gradient (r = 0.502), indicating the reliability of the serum-ascites albumin gradient in demonstrating the presence of portal hypertension and its relationship with the origin of ascites.
Dittrich
S
S
Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre (FFFCMPA), RS, Brazil.
Yordi
L M
LM
de Mattos
A A
AA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis*; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*; D014690:Venous Pressure
D000418:Albumins; D015415:Biomarkers; D012709:Serum Albumin