title: Balancing volume resuscitation and ascites management in cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with cirrhosis have total extracellular fluid overload but central effective circulating hypovolaemia. The resulting neurohumoral compensatory response favours the accumulation of fluids into the peritoneal cavity (ascites) and may hinder renal perfusion (hepatorenal syndrome). Their deranged systemic haemodynamics (hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome) is characterized by elevated cardiac output with decreased systemic vascular resistance and low blood pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Molecular and biological mechanisms determining cirrhosis-induced haemodynamic alterations are progressively being elucidated. The need for a goal-directed assessment of volume resuscitation (especially with volumetric techniques) in patients with cirrhosis is becoming more and more evident. The role of fluid expansion with albumin and the use of splanchnic vasopressors in a variety of cirrhosis-related conditions has recently been investigated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The response to fluid loading in patients with advanced cirrhosis is abnormal, primarily resulting in expansion of their noncentral blood volume compartment. Colloid solutions, in particular albumin, are best used in these patients. Albumin may be effective in preventing the haemodynamic derangements associated with large-volume paracentesis (paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction), in preventing renal failure during spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and, in association with splanchnic vasopressors, in caring for patients with the hepatorenal syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Anestesiologia, Terapia Intensiva e Scienze Dermatologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Polli
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gattinoni
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000502:physiology; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000502:physiology; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D012151:Resuscitation
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents