ABSTRACT
The treatment of patients with cirrhosis and fluid overload has undergone substantial
change in recent years, because of new information regarding old treatments, as well
as new treatments. The goals of treatment are to maximize life expectancy and quality
of life. Development of ascites is a landmark in the natural history of cirrhosis
signaling poor life expectancy, in general. Patients who are appropriate candidates
for liver transplantation should undergo evaluation for this procedure after development
of ascites. Patients awaiting transplantation as well as non-candidates for this procedure
should be managed by restriction of dietary sodium and prescription of diuretics.
This approach is effective in controlling fluid overload in >90% of patients. Only
the 10% who fail this simple medical treatment should be considered for second-line
therapy.
KEY WORDS
cirrhosis - ascites - treatment
