Ascites (serum - ascites albumin gradient < 1.1 g/Dl)
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 low serum-ascites albumin gradient (of less than 1.1 g/dL) include:
- Peritoneal carcinomatosis
- Pancreatitis
- Biliary pancreatitis
- Peritoneal tuberculosis
- Chlamydia/gonococcal infection
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Connective tissue diseases
- causes of a low serum-ascites albumin gradient (of less than 1.1 g/dL) 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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