[Hemodynamic consequences of paracentesis, evaluated by a bloodless method, in liver cirrhosis]

Haemodynamic changes caused by paracentesis in cirrhosis of the liver with ascites have been studied, using systolic times in 11 patients. The use of a non-surgical technique made it possible to repeat the test after a 24 hour interval. The basal TCI and PEP, expressed as percentage variation of the normal frequency value, were significantly lowered, but the TET was substantially unchanged. The PEP/TET ratio was also reduced. The PEP and TCI tend to increase 24 hours after paracentesis, though not to a uniform degree, while the TET increases slightly and diminishes 24 hours later. The PEP/TET ratio gets significantly worse (P = 0.05) compared to values 24 hours after the end of paracentesis, but not in comparison to initial values. These data reveal that cardiac capacity and myocardial contractility undergo no significant variations either immediately after the end of paracentesis or 24 hours later. This procedure is therefore indicated in cases where ascites interferes with cardiorespiratory function. In addition to haemodynamic changes, significant variations in potassaemia and ammoniaemia needing accurate monitoring were observed in individual cases.