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Previous Volume 350:1646-1654 April 15, 2004 Number 16 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Cirrhosis, most frequently caused by hepatitis C or alcoholism, was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States in 2000, accounting for more than 25,000 deaths.¹ Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis and is associated with a poor quality of life, increased risks of infections and renal failure, and a poor long-term outcome.^2,3 In recent years, important advances have been made in the management of cirrhosis and ascites.

Pathophysiology of Ascites

The chief factor contributing to ascites is splanchnic vasodilatation.⁴ Increased hepatic resistance to portal flow due to cirrhosis causes the gradual development of portal hypertension, collateral-vein formation, and . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Evaluation of Patients with Ascites

General Assessment

Evaluation for Liver Transplantation

Management of Ascites

General Measures

Prevention of Other Complications of Cirrhosis

Specific Measures

            Moderate-Volume Ascites

            Large-Volume Ascites

            Refractory Ascites

            The Hepatorenal Syndrome

            Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Source Information

From the Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic and University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi-Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain (P.G., A.C., V.A., J.R.); and the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston (A.C.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Ginès at the Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain, or at gines@medicina.ub.es.

Related Letters:

Management of Cirrhosis and Ascites
O'Beirne J. P., Foxton M. R., Heneghan M. A., Bhaskar M. E., Ginès P., Cárdenas A., Arroyo V.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2004; 351:300-301, Jul 15, 2004. Correspondence

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