Successful use of the Denver peritoneovenous shunt in patients with nephrogenic ascites

Tense ascites in patients who require hemodialysis for renal failure (nephrogenic ascites) is a rare but ominous complication. Its appearance is often followed by a rapid physical deterioration. Nonsurgical attempts to control the ascites are often unsuccessful. Four patients with refractory ascites were treated with Denver peritoneovenous shunts (DPVS). These patients suffered from ventilatory failure, anorexia with malnutrition, and hypotension during hemodialysis. Patients were followed for as long as 18 months after DPVS, and all experienced clinical resolution of the ascites. Ventilatory failure, malnutrition, and hypotension either improved or resolved after shunting. Shunt-related morbidity occurred in all patients and consisted of mechanical complications in four patients and bacteremia in one patient. These problems were resolved by either revision or removal of the DPVS. No deaths were directly related to shunting. Peritoneovenous shunting successfully treats nephrogenic ascites and reverses the morbid sequelae usually associated with this syndrome.