title: [Management of ascites due to portal hypertension].
abstract: Portal hypertension is regularly encountered by the general practitioner. It is defined by an elevation of the porto-systemic pressure gradient, with complications such as ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, variceal bleeding, hypersplenism, hepatopulmonary syndrome or hepatic encephalopathy occuring when a significant elevation of this gradient is reached. Cirrhosis is the primary cause of portal hypertension in industrialized countries. Symptomatic portal hypertension carries a poor prognosis. Management should be initiated rapidly, including the identification and correction of any reversible underlying condition. Liver transplantation should be considered in advanced cases.
authors.affiliation: Service de gastroentérologie et d'hépatologie, CHUV et Université de Lausanne 1011 Lausanne. sebastien.godat@chuv.ch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Godat
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Antonino
authors.forename: M-A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dehlavi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moradpour
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doerig
mesh_terms: D001201:Ascites / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications*; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019152:Paracentesis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists