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Refractory ascites is a frequent complication of advanced cirrhosis and is associated with hepatorenal syndrome and hepatic hydrothorax. Large volume paracentesis and pleurodesis are regarded as first-line treatments in patients who do not respond adequately to diuretics. These treatments, however, do not prevent recurrence and carry the risk of worsening of the circulatory dysfunction leading to hepatorenal syndrome. The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been proposed as an alternative to paracentesis. TIPS reduces the rate of ascites recurrence mainly due to the reduction in the filtration pressure. In addition, TIPS results in a positive effect on renal function, including hepatorenal syndrome, demonstrated by a rapid increase in urinary sodium excretion, urinary volume, and improvement in plasma creatinine concentration. Furthermore, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, and noradrenalin concentrations improve gradually after TIPS insertion suggesting a positive effect on systemic underfilling, the factor of hepatorenal syndrome. As demonstrated recently in two meta-analyses including five randomised studies, TIPS also improves survival when compared with paracentesis. However, the evidence is based on relatively few studies with only 305 patients included. The positive effects of the TIPS are opposed by an increased frequency and severity of episodes of hepatic encephalopathy which may be reduced by both patient selection and reduced shunt diameter. Based on the present knowledge the recommended hierarchy of treatments for refractory ascites may be reconsidered upgrading TIPS in suitable candidates.

Objective: To investigate whether the C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has a role in the regulation of fluid and sodium homeostasis in normal subjects and in pre-ascitic cirrhotic patients., Material and Methods: The daily profile of CNP plasma levels was assessed by serial measurements (0700 h, 0900 h, 1800 h, 2300 h) in 10 pre-ascitic cirrhotic outpatients (age 56+/-4 years) and in 10 age-matched healthy controls (54+/-2 years) on a normal sodium diet (150 mmol/day) while carrying on their usual activities (mobile from 0700 h to 2200 h), after an equilibration period of 5 days. Daily diuresis and natriuresis were also monitored., Results: Mean daily CNP was comparable in cirrhotic and healthy subjects (3.64+/-0.32 versus 3.20+/-0.20 pg/ml; p=0.139); CNP concentration showed a tendency towards a circadian fluctuation in healthy subjects (p=0.053) but not in patients (p=0.171). Mean daily CNP concentration significantly correlated with 24-h natriuresis (r=0.709; p=0.022) and urine volume (r=0.745; p=0.013) in patients but not in healthy subjects., Conclusions: CNP plasma levels appear to play a role in the water-sodium balance regulation in patients with pre-ascitic cirrhosis.

Refractory ascites indicates advanced chronic liver disease and represents a therapeutic challenge. It may be triggered by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and denotes poor prognosis. While liver transplantation is the ultimate treatment, for the relief of ascites therapeutic paracentesis with iv-administration of albumin and/or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) are well established. With rapid deterioration of renal function patients can develop hepatorenal syndrome. There is increasing evidence that these patients can be bridged to transplantation with vasopressin analogs (terlipressin) and albumin.

Background: We have recently shown that the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is more effective than paracentesis in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with severe ascites and can prolong survival in selected patients. Although an improved quality of life (QOL) has been suggested in these patients after the TIPS procedure, so far there are no data available to substantiate this assumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of TIPS on the QOL in cirrhotic patients with refractory or recidivant ascites., Methods: 21 cirrhotic patients who underwent TIPS for refractory or recidivant ascites were investigated. All patients were pretreated with repeated paracentesis for at least 1 year. Before the procedure and at 3 and 6 months during follow-up, the patients themselves rated QOL, fatigue and physical performance on a visual analogue scale (range 0-100). Furthermore, QOL was determined by the QOL index (range 0-10) according to Spitzer., Results: Patients' rating of the QOL on the visual analogue scale significantly increased from 35 +/- 25 (baseline) to 64 +/- 28 (3 months), and 66 +/- 24 (6 months; p = 0.02). Similarly, the QOL index significantly increased from 6.9 +/- 2.0 (baseline) to 8.3 +/- 2.1 (3 months), and 8.6 +/- 1.7 (6 months; p < 0.001). The increase of QOL was more pronounced in patients with complete response to TIPS., Conclusions: We demonstrate that TIPS for refractory or recidivant ascites improves the QOL in patients with cirrhosis. Our data indicates that this improvement is dependent on the response to therapy., (Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Background: Renal failure in cirrhosis may be due to various causes. While treatment for patients with ascites and hepatorenal syndrome is established, recent attention has been focused on acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis. Key Messages: The reduction of centrally effective blood volume is the key to the pathophysiology of renal failure and ascites formation in cirrhosis. Therefore, albumin infusion following large volume paracentesis is recommended by all guidelines. In selected patients, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt provides good control of ascites and improves survival. The role of non-selective beta-blockers in patients with cirrhosis and ascites is being controversially discussed. AKI in cirrhosis has been redefined and has prognostic importance. Conclusions: The role of kidney function in patients with liver cirrhosis is receiving increasing attention. In particular, the use of beta-blockers and novel definitions of AKI seem to be of clinical relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In patients with cirrhosis and ascites, creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt may reduce the ascites and improve renal function. However, the benefit of this procedure as compared with that of large-volume paracentesis is uncertain. Methods: We randomly assigned 60 patients with cirrhosis and refractory or recurrent ascites (Child–Pugh class B in 42 patients and class C in 18 patients) to treatment with a transjugular shunt (29 patients) or large-volume paracentesis (31 patients). The mean (±SD) duration of follow-up was 45±16 months among those assigned to shunting and 44±18 months among those assigned to paracentesis. The primary outcome was survival without liver transplantation. Results: Among the patients in the shunt group, 15 died and 1 underwent liver transplantation during the study period, as compared with 23 patients and 2 patients, respectively, in the paracentesis group. The probability of survival without liver transplantation was 69 percent at one year and 58 percent at two years in the shunt group, as compared with 52 percent and 32 percent in the paracentesis group (P= 0.11 for the overall comparison, by the log-rank test). In a multivariate analysis, treatment with transjugular shunting was independently associated with survival without the need for transplantation (P=0.02). At three months, 61 percent of the patients in the shunt group and 18 percent of those in the paracentesis group had no ascites (P=0.006). The frequency of hepatic encephalopathy was similar in the two groups. Of the patients assigned to paracentesis in whom this procedure was unsuccessful, 10 received a transjugular shunt a mean of 5.5±4 months after randomization; 4 had a response to this rescue treatment. Conclusions: In comparison with large-volume par-acentesis, the creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt can improve the chance of survival without liver transplantation in patients with refractory or recurrent ascites. (N Engl J Med 2000;342:1701-7.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]