Constrictive Pericarditis as a Cause of Refractory Ascites
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Published on: September 22, 2023
Zurabi Lominadze1, Leila Kia2, Sanjiv Shah3
1Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Abstract:
We report a 43-year-old man who presented for evaluation of ascites, varices, and hepatosplenomegaly. Initial labs were notable for normal platelets, mild liver synthetic dysfunction, and disproportionately elevated alkaline phosphatase. He was presumed to have underlying cirrhosis, and diuresis was attempted without success. A transjugular liver biopsy showed marked sinusoidal dilation without cirrhosis. Diagnostic paracentesis revealed fluid studies suggestive of cardiac ascites. Further cardiac evaluation confirmed constrictive pericarditis. The case highlights the importance of considering a broad differential in the evaluation of ascites.
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