Ascites (serum - ascites albumin gradient >= 1.1 g/DL)
The serum-ascites albumin gradient is calculated via substracting the concentration of the ascites fluid albumin from serum albumin.
- a serum-ascites albumin gradient of more than or equal to 1.1 g/dL predicts portal hypertension with greater accuracy than the transudate/exudate classification
- causes of a high serum-ascites albumin gradient include:
- Cirrhosis
- Congestive heart failure
- Fulminant hepatic failure
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Liver metastases
- Veno-occlusive disease
- Portal vein thrombosis
- Budd?Chiari syndrome
- causes of a high serum-ascites albumin gradient include:
Reference:
- Baccaro ME et al. Ascites. Medicine 2007; 35 ( 2): 104-107
- Runyon BA et al. The serum-ascites albumin gradient is superior to the exudate-transudate concept in the differential diagnosis of ascites. Ann Intern Med 1992; 117: 215?220.
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