Role of salt intake in the management of cirrhotic Ascites

ABSTRACT

Background: The purpose of study was to determine the role of salt intake in the management of ascites. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis. Dilutional hyponatremia is present in most of patients with ascites. It is due to excess in antidiuretic hormone which occurs due to decrease in effective arterial volume. Water free salt intake tends to maintain the circulatory volume by drawing the fluid from third space, hence inhibiting ADH. It also increases the response of diuretics by increasing the filtered load of sodium. On the other hand, strict salt restriction and diuretics worsen the hyponatremia and make ascites refractory to treatment