The impact of paracentesis flow rate in patients with liver cirrhosis on the development of paracentesis induced circulatory dysfunction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ascites is a dreadful complication of liver cirrhosis associated with short survival. Large volume paracentesis (LVP) is used to treat tense or refractory ascites. Paracentesis induced circulatory dysfunction (PICD) develops if no plasma expanders are given with ominous complications. To study the effect of ascites flow rate on PICD development. METHODS: Sixty patients with cirrhosis and tense ascites underwent LVP of 8 L were randomized into 3 equal groups of different flow rate extraction; group I (80 mL/minute), group II (180 mL/minute) and group III (270 mL/minute). Plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured baseline and on day six. PICD was defined as increase in PRA >50% of the pretreatment value. RESULTS: In group I through 3; the mean age was (52.5±9.4 vs. 56.4±8.5 vs. 55.8±7.1 years; P>0.05), mean arterial pressure (81.4±5.6 vs. 81.5±7 vs. 79.5±7.2 mmHg; P>0.05), MELD (17.6±4.1 vs. 15.8±4.1 vs. 14.7±4.5). Baseline PRA was comparable (1,366.0±1244.9 vs. 1,151.3±1,444.8 vs. 951.9±1,088 pg/mL; P>0.05). There was no statistically significant (P>0.05) flow mediated changes (Delta) of creatinine (0.23±0.27 vs. 0.38±0.33 vs. 0.26±0.18 mg/dL), MELD (1.25±5.72 vs. 1.70±2.18 vs. 1.45±2.21) or PRA (450.93±614.10 vs. 394.61±954.64 vs. 629.51±1,116.46 pg/mL). PICD was detected in a similar frequency in the three groups (P>0.05). On univariate logistic analysis only female sex was a fairly significant PICD predictor (Wald 3.85, odds ratio 3.14; P=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The ascites flow rate does not correlate with PICD development.

Prognostic significance of hepatic veins waveforms study by doppler ultrasonography in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension

Doppler Ultrasonographic [U/S] waveform changes in the hepatic veins can be found in chronic parenchymal liver disease, especially in the late stages. In this prospective study, 150 Egyptian bilharzial cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension but without hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] in addition to 20 age and sex matched apparently healthy control were studied. Diagnosis was confirmed with liver biopsy in 121 patients [those with prolonged prothrombin time 3 seconds more than control and platelet count less than 90000 per mm were excluded]. Doppler wave form patterns in patients were classified into 4 types: [I, II, III and IV], while we found that all the control group was of type I Doppler waveform Prognostic value of the hepatic veins waveforms together with clinical and biochemical parameters were evaluated with their relation to the outcome of our patients. Out of 150 of our patients 112 were male and 38 were females, their ages ranged between 29-65 years [with mean +/- SD = 47.08 +/- 7.70 years]. All were experienced variceal bleeding. Most of the patients [130] were HCV positive. By the end of the follow up period [18 months] 23 [15:3%] patients have died, all due to liver cell failure. A univariate analysis that followed by a multivariate one showed that flat Doppler waveform [type IV] changes in the right hepatic vein with the following characteristics of patients [rebleeding varices, presence of encephalopathy, increase s.billrubin and decrease prothrombin%] were independently related to survival. Doppler U/S study [which is a non-invasive maneuver] of the right hepatic vein has improved the prognostic accuracy in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Moreover type IV [flat waveform with fluttering] was associated with bad prognosis and poor survival