OBSERVATIONS ON THE ALTERATIONS IN ELECTROLYTES AND FLUID BALANCE IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER WITH AND WITHOUT ASCITES

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The urinary excretion of NaCl is decreased in patients with portal cirrhosis and ascites. The output of NaCl in the urine is not significantly decreased in patients with portal cirrhosis in the absence of ascites. The retention of fluid in cirrhosis is related to retention of Na; this is not dependent on hypoalbuminemia alone because admn. salt-poor albumin does not correct the deficient salt excretion. Restriction of salt intake is indispensable to the control and management of fluid retention in patients with ascites. Repeated paracenteses and, to a great extent, admn. of diuretics can be avoided by adequate restriction of the salt intake.