ABSTRACT
Discussion In the vast majority of cases, ascites is a transudate and due to cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Cardiac failure and peritoneal carcinomatosis are other common causes of ascites. Rarely, ascites is due to blood, bile, chyle, pus, or urine. Paracentesis is a safe, easy, and cost-effective method to determine the cause of ascites. Ascites due to cirrhosis and portal hypertension usually can be treated medically. Refractory ascites may require frequent large-volume paracenteses, a transjugular intrahepatic portacaval shunt, or a portosystemic surgical shunt.
