title: Clinical management of ascites and its complications.
abstract: Development of ascites is a poor prognostic sign with a 1 year mortality rate of up to 50%. Cirrhotic patients who develop ascites should therefore be evaluated for liver transplantation. Even though current therapies of ascites are not associated with a survival benefit, the elimination of ascites will improve quality of life and prevent the development of lethal complications such as SBP and HRS. Therapy of ascites should be directed at correcting the pathophysiologic abnormalities that lead to ascites formation, namely sodium retention, reduced effective arterial blood volume, and sinusoidal hypertension.
authors.affiliation: VA Connecticut Healthcare System and Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wongcharatrawee
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garcia-Tsao
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001201:Ascites / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006530:Hepatorenal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D019152:Paracentesis; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004232:Diuretics