The patient with refractory ascites

Alexander L Gerbes1

  • 1Klinikum of the University of Munich-Grosshadern, Department of Medicine II, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany. gerbes@med.uni-muenchen.de

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DefinitionAscites is the buildup of fluid inside the peritoneal cavity. It occurs when fluid moves out of the vascular system faster than the peritoneal lymphatics can remove it. This fluid shift is most commonly seen in liver cirrhosis but can also appear in several other systemic disorders.EtiologyCirrhosis remains the leading cause of ascites. Other conditions that can contribute include:Heart failureConstrictive pericarditisAbdominal cancersNephrotic syndromeSevere protein–calorie...
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Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...