Definition

Ascites is excess fluid in the space between the tissues lining the abdomen and abdominal organs (the peritoneal cavity).

See also:

• Alcoholic liver disease
• Cirrhosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

A person with ascites usually has severe liver disease. Ascites due to liver disease is caused by high pressure in the blood vessels of the liver (portal hypertension) and low albumin levels.

Disorders that may be associated with ascites include:

• Cirrhosis and any illness that leads to it
• Clots in the veins of the liver (portal vein thrombosis)
• Colon cancer
• Congestive heart failure
• Constrictive pericarditis
• Hepatitis
• Infections such as tuberculosis
• Liver cancer
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer
• Pancreatitis
• Pancreatic cancer
• Protein-losing enteropathy

Kidney dialysis may also be associated with ascites.

Signs and tests

A physical examination may reveal a swollen abdomen, or belly.

Test to evaluate the liver may be done, including:

• 24-hour urine collection
• Creatinine and electrolytes
• Kidney function tests
• Liver enzyme, bilirubin, coagulation, and serum protein tests
• Urinalysis

Paracentesis or abdominal tap may be performed. This procedure involves using a thin needle to pull fluid from the abdomen. The fluid is tested in various ways to determine the cause of ascites.

Treatment

The condition that causes ascites will be treated, if possible.

Treatment may include:

• Diuretics, or "water pills," to help remove the fluid; usually, spironolactone (Aldactone) is used first, and then furosemide (Lasix) will be added
• Antibiotics, if an infection develops
• Limiting salt in the diet (no more than 1,500 mg/day of sodium)
• Avoiding drinking alcohol

Procedures used for ascites that do not respond to medical treatment include:

• Placing a tube into the area to remove large volumes of fluid (called a large volume paracentesis)
• Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), which helps reroute blood around the liver

Patients who develop end-stage liver disease, and whose ascites no longer respond to treatment will need a liver transplant.

Complications

• Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (a life-threatening infection of the ascites fluid)
• Hepatorenal syndrome (kidney failure)
• Weight loss and protein malnutrition
• Mental confusion, change in the level of alertness, or coma (hepatic encephalopathy)
• Other complications of liver cirrhosis

Calling your health care provider

Anyone who has ascites and develops new abdominal pain and fever should contact their health care provider immediately.

References

Runyon BA; AASLD Practice Guidelines Committee. Management of adult patients with ascites due to cirrhosis: an update. Hepatology. 2009;49(6):2087-2107.