BACKGROUND & AIMS Refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis is associated with poor survival. TIPS is more effective than paracentesis for the prevention of recurrence of ascites but increases the risk of encephalopathy while survival remains unchanged. A more accurate selection of the patients might improve these results. The aim of the present study was to identify parameters of prognosti...

Recently, sirolimus, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, was reported to decrease chylous effusion in patients with lymphangioleimyomatosis (LAM). We herein report a case of a 34-year-old woman with LAM who developed refractory chylothorax and chylous ascites during sirolimus therapy. In this case, to reduce chylous effusion, we administered octreotide, which is often used to control...

OBJECTIVES: To present the clinical features and outcomes of outpatients who suffer from refractory ascites. METHODS: This prospective observational study consecutively enrolled patients with cirrhotic ascites who submitted to a clinical evaluation, a sodium restriction diet, biochemical blood tests, 24 hour urine tests and an ascitic fluid analysis. All patients received a multidisciplinary ...

BACKGROUND We have recently shown that the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is more effective than paracentesis in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with severe ascites and can prolong survival in selected patients. Although an improved quality of life (QOL) has been suggested in these patients after the TIPS procedure, so far there are no data available to substantiate th...

OBJECTIVE Refractory ascites is defined as a lack of response to high doses of diuretics or the development of diuretic related side effects, which compel the patient to discontinue the diuretic treatment. Current therapeutic strategies include repeated large-volume paracentesis and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS). Peritoneovenous shunt (Denver shunt) should be considered ...

This study investigates the correlation between SBP and repeated paracentesis, and its relation to MELD score, in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites in an outpatient setting. Through the data base, 148 cirrhotic patients were prospectively included in the study with refractory ascites undergoing relief paracentesis from March 2012 to March 2013. Demographics data, etiology of liver dise...

Pulmonary hypertension is a common finding in patients with advanced liver disease. Similarly, among patients with advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension, right heart failure leads to congestive hepatopathy. Diuretic resistant fluid overload in both advanced pulmonary hypertension and chronic liver disease is a demanding challenge for physicians. Venous congestion and ascites-induced increase...

Ascites related to metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) reduces patient survival and quality of life, and systemic chemotherapy is largely ineffective for managing ascites. Here, we examined the clinical efficacy of intraperitoneal (IP) ziv-aflibercept for managing refractory ascites in 15 mCRC patients who did not respond to standard chemotherapy. Fifty or 100 mg of ziv-aflibercept in 100 mL of...

A 70-year-old patient having massive refractory ascites in the course of idiopathic myelofibrosis was diagnosed of peritoneal extramedullary hematopoiesis and developed an overwhelming nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. The case describes this unusual infection and highlights the need for additional studies to confirm the etiology of ascites in primary myelofibrosis.

BACKGROUND Nephrogenic ascites refers to the condition of refractory ascites of unknown aetiology and occurs mainly in patients with end-stage renal disease who are undergoing haemodialysis. Despite many treatment modalities, nephrogenic ascites remains difficult to control and has a poor prognosis. METHODS We investigated six such patients who had developed severe, apparently refractory asci...