Evaluation and management of patients with refractory ascites

作     者：Bahaa Eldeen Senousy Peter V Draganov 

作者机构：Ain Shams University school of MedicineAbbassia Square 11566 Cairo Egypt University of FloridaGainesville Florida 32610 United States 

出 版 物：《World Journal of Gastroenterology》 (世界胃肠病学杂志（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2009年第15卷第1期

页      面：67-80页

核心收录：

学科分类：1002[医学-临床医学] 100201[医学-内科学(含：心血管病、血液病、呼吸系病、消化系病、内分泌与代谢病、肾病、风湿病、传染病)] 10[医学] 

主　　题：Refractory ascites Aquaretics Albumininfusion Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stentshunt Large volume paracentesis 

摘      要：Some patients with ascites due to liver cirrhosis become no longer responsive to diuretics. Once other causes of ascites such as portal vein thrombosis, malignancy or infection and non-compliance with medications and low sodium diet have been excluded, the diagnosis of refractory ascites can be made based on strict criteria. Patients with refractory ascites have very poor prognosis and therefore referral for consideration for liver transplantation should be initiated. Search for reversible components of the underlying liver pathology should be undertaken and targeted therapy, when available, should be considered. Currently, serial large volume paracentesis （LVP） and transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic stent-shunt （TIPS） are the two mainstay treatment options for refractory ascites. Other treatment options are available but not widely used either because they carry high morlJidity and mortality （most surgical options） rates, or are new interventions that have shown promise but still need further evaluation. In this comprehensive review, we describe the evaluation and management of patients with refractory ascites from the prospective of the practicing physician.