[Modern therapy of ascites in liver cirrhosis]

The most frequent cause of ascites in the Czech Republic is cirrhosis of the liver. Treatment of ascites in cirrhotic patients must be very careful as the use of strong diuretics is associated with some adverse complications. The latter are reviewed. The basic therapeutic provision is restriction of water and salt intake. Aldosterone antagonists are diuretics of first choice. A commonly used diuretic is also furosemide and thiazides. The author outlines the algorithm of treatment of ascites, in particular from the aspect of the general practitioner.