[Hemoconcentration caused by excessive intraoperative ascites production in ulcer bleeding]

The estimation of the intraoperative fluid requirements can be particularly difficult in patients with compartmental disturbances, e.g. hepatic cirrhosis. The case history of a 41 year old female with a known history of liver cirrhosis is reported who underwent emergency surgery due to upper gastro-intestinal bleeding. In order to maintain hemodynamic stability preoperative blood loss was replaced with fresh blood. During the operation 4 liters of bank and fresh blood with 5 liters of erythrocyte-free fluids were administered. After operation reliable clinical signs of hypovolemia and a marked increase in hematocrit were noted. The severe hemoconcentration was explained by excessive fluid shifts away from the intravascular compartment since a total amount of 10 liters of ascites was collected for the next 24 hours. This overproduction can be related to portal hypertension, hypoalbuminemia and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.