Translating Our Current Understanding of Ascites Management into New Therapies for Patients with Cirrhosis and Fluid Retention

Author:

Pose Elisa,Cardenas Andres

Abstract

Ascites is the most common complication associated with cirrhosis resulting in poor quality of life, high risk of development of other complications of cirrhosis, increased morbidity and mortality associated with surgical interventions, and poor long-term outcome. Patients with cirrhosis and a first onset of ascites, have a probability of survival of 85% during the first year and 56% at 5 years without liver transplantation. Ascites is caused due to increased renal sodium retention as a result of increased activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in response to marked vasodilation of the splanchnic circulation. The practical management of ascites involves the proper evaluation of a patient with a thorough history and physical exam. In addition, complete laboratory, ascitic fluid, and radiological tests should be performed. One of the most important steps in the initial assessment of patients with ascites is to refer the appropriate candidates for liver transplantation, as it offers a definitive cure for cirrhosis and its complications. While the initial management of uncomplicated ascites with low sodium diet and diuretic treatment is straightforward in a majority of patients, approximately 10% of patients fail to respond to diuretics and become a real therapeutic challenge. The initial treatment of choice in patients with refractory ascites is large-volume paracentesis (LVP) associated with intravenous albumin; some patients also benefit from transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS). When repeated LVP or TIPS cannot be performed, other approaches using vasoconstrictors such as midodrine can be considered although data are scarce. A newly designed automated low flow pump system (Alfapump), which is designed to move ascites from the peritoneal cavity to the urinary bladder where it is eliminated spontaneously through diuresis is promising, but the data are also limited and safety is still a matter of concern. This article focuses on the practical aspects of the evaluation and treatment of patients with ascites and cirrhosis and also discusses how to translate our current understanding of ascites pathophysiology into new treatment methods for patients with fluid retention.

Publisher

S. Karger AG

Subject

Gastroenterology,General Medicine

Cited by 22 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3