Ascites (transudate)

Transudative ascites is defined as having less than 3 g of protein per 100 ml of fluid.

It is, as its name would suggest, a transudate - a result of raised hydrostatic pressure forcing fluid out of blood vessels.

Causes include:

• cardiac failure
• nephrotic syndrome and other causes of hypoproteinaemia, e.g. hepatic failure
• constrictive pericarditis
• ovarian tumours, e.g. Meig's syndrome.

Reference

1. Biggins SW, Angeli P, Garcia-Tsao G, et al. Diagnosis, evaluation, and management of ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome: 2021 practice guidance by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology. 2021 Aug;74(2):1014-48.