Treatment of refractory ascites with an automated low flow ascites pump in patients awaiting liver transplantation

For patients with liver cirrhosis awaiting transplantation who suffer from refractory ascites (RA), standard treatment consists of repeated large volume paracentesis. The automated low-flow ascites-pump (alfapump) offers an innovative alternative for RA, if TIPSS is contraindicated or ineffective. This study addresses the feasibility alfapump in transplantation. Between 2012 and 2018, listed were treated included this retrospective single centre study. Of 22 alfapump, 14 finally transplanted. Alcohol-related disease was most common aetiology ( n = 11), followed by hepatitis C, B NASH. Mean age at listing 56.3 years 68.2% male. average daily pumped device 1076 ml. During transplant surgery, no alfapump-related complications occurred. removed end procedure eight left place three up to 104 days, whereas had pump prior Overall survival significantly better that transplanted (log-rank p < 0.0001). Five (22.7%) required least one re-intervention. Treatment on waiting list feasible. did not affect explanted surgery.