Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Ascites01:19

Ascites

20
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...
20
Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications01:25

Peritoneal Dialysis II: Peritoneal Dialysis Systems and Complications

2.0K
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a medical process that removes waste products and excess fluid from the body using the peritoneal membrane as a natural filter.Peritoneal Dialysis MethodsSeveral methods can be used for peritoneal dialysis, including Acute Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis, and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis, also known as Continuous Cyclic Peritoneal Dialysis.Acute Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis (AIPD) is used for patients with uremic...
2.0K
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy01:26

Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

408
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is an essential intervention for patients experiencing severe kidney dysfunction. This therapy offers a continuous mechanism for removing fluids and toxins from the bloodstream, leveraging the patient’s blood pressure to facilitate filtration through a specialized filter. This method contrasts with intermittent dialysis, providing a gentler and more consistent removal of waste products and excess fluid, which is particularly beneficial in...
408
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

626
Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
626
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management01:28

Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management

1.3K
Pleural Effusion Overview
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
1.3K
Peritoneal Dialysis I: Introduction and Procedure01:30

Peritoneal Dialysis I: Introduction and Procedure

8.3K
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a procedure that facilitates the exchange of solutes, waste products, electrolytes, and excess fluid between the blood in the peritoneal capillaries and a dialysis solution introduced into the peritoneal cavity.Principles of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)Diffusion: Waste products such as urea and electrolytes move from high concentrations in the blood to low concentrations in the dialysate across the peritoneal membrane. This mechanism is driven by the concentration...
8.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Thermal Ablation with or without Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Older Adults with Child-Pugh Class A Cirrhosis.

Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR·2026
Same author

Selecting Pharmacologic Interventions for MASH.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2026
Same author

Gastroenterologist's Guide to Assess for Alcohol Use.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2026
Same author

Autochthonous dengue outbreak in Northern Italy, September 2024: epidemiological, microbiological, entomological investigation and public health response.

Travel medicine and infectious disease·2026
Same author

Toward the simultaneous detection of multiple diseases with a highly cost-effective cell-free DNA methylome test.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder Among Patients With Severe Alcohol-Related Liver Disease.

JAMA network open·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion PHP with Melphalan as a Treatment for Unresectable Metastases Confined to the Liver
09:02

Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion PHP with Melphalan as a Treatment for Unresectable Metastases Confined to the Liver

Published on: July 31, 2016

11.4K

Refractory Ascites and the Alfapump.

Jasleen Singh1,2, Jayza Calderon1, Sammy Saab1,2

  • 1Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California.

Gastro Hep Advances
|April 23, 2026
PubMed
Summary

The Alfapump system offers a new treatment for refractory ascites in cirrhosis patients, reducing the need for large-volume paracentesis. While effective, potential risks like renal impairment and infection require careful management.

Keywords:
AlfapumpCirrhosisRefractory AscitesTIPSTreatment

More Related Videos

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
07:39

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock

Published on: August 16, 2021

3.3K
Isolated Hepatic Perfusion as a Treatment for Liver Metastases of Uveal Melanoma
09:52

Isolated Hepatic Perfusion as a Treatment for Liver Metastases of Uveal Melanoma

Published on: January 25, 2015

12.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion PHP with Melphalan as a Treatment for Unresectable Metastases Confined to the Liver
09:02

Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion PHP with Melphalan as a Treatment for Unresectable Metastases Confined to the Liver

Published on: July 31, 2016

11.4K
Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
07:39

Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock

Published on: August 16, 2021

3.3K
Isolated Hepatic Perfusion as a Treatment for Liver Metastases of Uveal Melanoma
09:52

Isolated Hepatic Perfusion as a Treatment for Liver Metastases of Uveal Melanoma

Published on: January 25, 2015

12.8K

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Medical Devices

Background:

  • Ascites is a common complication of cirrhosis, significantly impacting patient survival.
  • Current treatments for refractory ascites include diuretics, large-volume paracentesis (LVP), and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).
  • There is a clinical need for alternative therapies for patients with refractory ascites, especially those unsuitable for TIPS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Alfapump system for managing refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis.
  • To assess the Alfapump's impact on the frequency of LVP and patient quality of life.
  • To explore the use of interventional radiology for Alfapump implantation.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical trials (PIONEER, MOSAIC, POSEIDON) involving patients with refractory ascites.
  • Assessment of LVP frequency, renal function, and infection rates post-Alfapump implantation.
  • Evaluation of interventional radiology techniques for pump placement.

Main Results:

  • The Alfapump system demonstrated a significant reduction in the need for LVP.
  • Observed risks included renal impairment, often responsive to albumin, and infections like peritonitis.
  • Interventional radiology enabled less invasive pump implantation procedures.

Conclusions:

  • The Alfapump is an effective alternative treatment for refractory ascites in cirrhotic patients, particularly those ineligible for TIPS.
  • Management strategies for potential complications like renal injury and infection are crucial for patient safety.
  • Recent FDA approval in December 2024 expands treatment options in the United States, potentially serving as a bridge to liver transplantation.