11/13/24, 7\:31 PM Guide | Ascitic fluid analysis

Ascitic

Table of contents

What is ascites?

Ascites is the accumulation of ascitic
Many diseases can cause ascites, but the most common cause is portal hypertension, which is usually due to liver cirrhosis.
Ascites does not typically become clinically detectable until there are at least 500mLs of
If large amounts of
breath (due to diaphragmatic splinting).
Analysis of ascitic
A sample of
analysis.

Clinical features

Typical clinical features of ascites include\:
Abdominal distension
Abdominal discomfort
Weight gain
Shortness of breath
Reduced appetite

Appearance of ascitic

The appearance of ascitic
typical appearance of ascitic
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Ascitic

Ascitic

Biochemical analysis of ascitic
below summarises the typical patterns of biochemical
processes.
Ascitic
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Ascitic

Ascitic
which can help narrow the di
Ascitic

Serum ascitic albumin gradient (SAAG)

The serum ascitic albumin gradient (SAAG) indirectly measures portal pressure and can be used to determine if ascites is due
to portal hypertension.

SAAG calculation

SAAG = (serum albumin) - (ascitic

Interpretation

A high SAAG (>11 g/L) suggests the ascitic
A low SAAG (\<11 g/L) suggests the ascitic
Causes of a high SAAG
A high SAAG (i.e. transudate) suggests the presence of portal hypertension, which may be caused by\:
Cirrhosis
Hepatic failure
Venous occlusion (e.g. Budd Chiari syndrome)
Fulminant hepatic failure
Alcoholic hepatitis
Kwashiorkor malnutrition
Causes of a low SAAG
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Causes of a low SAAG (i.e. exudate) include\:
Malignancy
Infection
Source\: geekymedics.com
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