TREATMENT OF RESISTANT ASCITES BY CONTINUOUS ULTRAFILTRATION - REINFUSION OF ASCITIC FLUID

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 117  (11) , 1296-1298
Abstract
Patients (8) with diuretic-resistant ascites due to cirrhosis were treated by reinfusion of concentrated ascitic fluid. In 11 procedures, with a mean duration of 21.9 h, wt loss averaged 14.8 kg. Complications during reinfusion included septicemia in 1 procedure, left-sided heart failure in 5, pyrexia in 7 and coagulation abnormalities in 10. Ascites recurred within 2 mo. after reinfusion in all but 1 patient. Although this technique is an efficient and inexpensive method of treatment of ascites, it does not appear indicated in patients with cirrhosis and resistant ascites in view of the possibly serious complications associated with reinfusion and poor long-term results.