Diagnostic usefulness of the spot urine sodium/potassium ratio in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The low-salt diet is considered important for control of ascites in cirrhotic patients. To validate whether the spot urine sodium (Na)/potassium (K) ratio could replace 24-h urine Na (uNa) excretion in assessing low-salt diet compliance. METHODS: We prospectively studied 175 patients. 24-h urine collection and spot urine collection were performed. Subsequently, 24-h uNa, urine creatinine (uCr), and spot urine Na and K were assessed. A complete urine collection was confirmed based on 24-h uCr excretion levels of 15mg/kg/day for men and 10mg/kg/day for women. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the feasibility of spot urine Na/K ratio in predicting 24-h uNa greater than 78mmol/day. RESULTS: Out of 175 patients, 24-h urine samples were completely collected in 57 patients only. Moreover, urine samples were not completely collected in 118 patients because their 24-h uCr excretion level was less than the established criteria. In complete urine collection group, AUROC curve for spot urine Na/K ratio in predicting 24-h uNa greater than 78mmol/day was 0.874±0.051 (P<0.001). In the incomplete urine collection group, the AUROC was 0.832±0.039 (P<0.001). In complete urine collection group, the classical cutoff value greater than 1.0 of spot urine Na/K ratio showed 90.9% sensitivity and 56.0% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The spot urine Na/K ratio reflects 24-h uNa, but the AUROC value obtained in this study is lower than that of a previous study. Considered the large number of patients with incomplete urine collection, validating 24-h complete urine collection criteria is necessary.

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Cirrhotic patients with ascites are at high risk of developing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). After exclusion of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) or other infections, urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels were compared between two matched groups of Egyptian cirrhotic patients with ascites, mostly secondary to hepatitis C infection (98%). Group 1 had SBP (n = 41) and group 2 did not (n = 45). By univariate analysis, urinary-NGAL, high total bilirubin, serum creatinine, international normalised ratio and the Model of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and low platelet count were all significantly correlated with the presence of SBP, but only urinary-NGAL could independently predict development of SBP (P = 0.001). Urinary-NGAL at a cut-off value of 1225 pg/mL, showed a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 76%, and is therefore a most useful tool.

Gamma-variate plasma clearance versus urinary plasma clearance of 51 Cr-EDTA in patients with cirrhosis with and without fluid retention.

In patients with fluid retention, the plasma clearance of 51 Cr-EDTA (Clexp obtained by multiexponential fit) may overestimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The present study was undertaken to compare a gamma-variate plasma clearance (Clgv) with the urinary plasma clearance of 51 Cr-EDTA (Clu ) in patients with cirrhosis with and without fluid retention. A total of 81 patients with cirrhosis (22 without fluid retention, 59 with ascites) received a quantitative intravenous injection of 51 Cr-EDTA followed by plasma and quantitative urinary samples for 5 h. Clgv was determined from the injected dose relative to the plasma concentration-time area, obtained by a gamma-variate iterative fit. Clexp and Clu were determined by standard technique. In patients without fluid retention, Clgv , Clexp and Clu were closely similar. The difference between Clgv and Clu (Clgv - Clu  = ΔCl) was mean -0·6 ml min-1  1·73 m-2 . In patients with ascites, ΔCl was significantly higher (11·8 ml min-1  1·73 m-2 , P<0·0001), but this value was lower than Clexp - Clu (17·5 mL min-1  1·73 m-2 , P<0·01). ΔCl increased with lower values of GFR (P<0·001). In conclusion, in patients with fluid retention and ascites Clgv and Clexp overestimates GFR substantially, but the overestimation is smaller with Clgv . Although Clu may underestimate GFR slightly, patients with ascites should collect urine quantitatively to obtain a reliable measurement of GFR.

Clinical Factors Predicting the Effect of Tolvaptan for Refractory Ascites in Patients with Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: Refractory ascites reduces the quality of life of liver cirrhosis patients. Albumin preparation and diuretics, such as furosemide, have been used to treat refractory ascites, but the effect was poor in many patients. In this study, we analyzed patients treated with tolvaptan (TLV) at our hospital and investigated predictors of the effect. METHODS: The subjects were 70 patients for whom TLV was introduced to treat refractory ascites who could be analyzed between November 2013 and March 2015 at our hospital. Patient background before initiation of oral TLV treatment, the dose of diuretics, and each item of biochemical tests of blood and urine were investigated, and factors correlated with the treatment effect were analyzed. An increase of ≥1,000 ml in the daily urine volume from the day before oral treatment or a decrease of ≥1 kg in the body weight within 7 days as an early effect was observed in 33 patients and not observed in 37 patients. TLV treatment was continued for 60 days or longer in 12 of the 37 patients in whom no early effect was observed, and the presence or absence of a delayed effect and predictors of the effect were investigated. A decrease in ascites on abdominal CT with improvement of subjective symptoms at 60 days was defined as a delayed effect. RESULTS: When early predictors of the effect were investigated by univariate analysis, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) were significantly higher in the non-responder group (BUN: p = 0.03, Cr: p = 0.04), but no factor independently associated with the treatment effect was extracted on multivariate analysis. The delayed effect was noted in 4 (33.3%) of the 12 patients, but no predictor of the effect before treatment was identified. However, reactions, such as an increase in serum Na and reduction of urinary osmotic pressure, were observed early after TLV administration in some patients in whom the delayed effect was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The diuretic effect of TLV may decrease in renal hypofunction patients. Since the delayed effect was noted in a specific ratio of patients, continuation of TLV administration is an option even though the early treatment effect is poor unless ascites aggravates or adverse effects develop.

Urinary excretion of the water channel aquaporin 2 correlated with the pharmacological effect of tolvaptan in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

BACKGROUND: The water channel aquaporin 2 (AQP2) at the apical membrane of renal collecting duct cells mediates water reabsorption. The expression of AQP2 at the apical membrane is tightly regulated by vasopressin and was quantitated by measurement of the urinary form by a recently developed ELISA. Tolvaptan, an antagonist of vasopressin type 2 receptor, inhibits water reabsorption in cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the pharmacological effect of tolvaptan and the dynamics of urinary AQP2 levels. METHODS: Tolvaptan was administered to 41 cirrhotic patients with ascites unresponsive to standard diuretic therapy. Urinary excretion of AQP2 and urinary osmolarity were measured at the baseline and at 4, 8, and 24 h after administration of tolvaptan. RESULTS: At the baseline, urinary AQP2/creatinine ratios were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with ascites than in healthy controls (P < 0.0001). After administration of tolvaptan, urinary AQP2/creatinine ratios decreased by 45.0 % at 4 h and 77.0 % at 8 h. Similarly, urinary osmolarity decreased by 42.0 % at 4 h and 41.5 % at 8 h. Urinary AQP2 levels and urinary osmolarity significantly correlated at the baseline and at all time points after tolvaptan administration. The degree of the decrease in urinary AQP2 levels and degree of the decrease in urinary osmolarity correlated significantly at 4 h (r = 0.452, P = 0.009) and 8 h (r = 0.384, P = 0.030) after tolvaptan administration. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the vasopressin-AQP2 system plays a major role in fluid retention in cirrhosis and that the pharmacological effect of tolvaptan to inhibit water reabsorption can be monitored by measurement of the dynamics of urinary AQP2 levels.

Urinary aquaporin-2 excretion before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt insertion for refractory ascites.

OBJECTIVE: The role of renal aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channel turnover in patients with liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension and water retention remains unclear. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion reduces portal hypertension, improves water excretion and lowers plasma vasopressin. The aim of this study was to establish whether TIPS insertion decreases urinary AQP2 excretion (uAQP2) in parallel with improved water excretion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen cirrhosis patients with refractory ascites were studied before TIPS insertion and 4 and 12 weeks after insertion. A 24-h urine collection was followed by an oral water load (20 ml/kg body weight) with a 4-h blood and urine sampling. RESULTS: TIPS reduced the portal pressure gradient from a median 18(4) (25-75% InterQuartile-range) to 7(2) mmHg, p < 0.05 and the need for diuretics (p < 0.05). TIPS increased plasma sodium from 136(6) mmol/l to 139(4), (p < 0.05) and diuresis from 1650(1043) ml/24 h to 2230(560) (p < 0.05), although the 24-h urinary sodium excretion did not change. There was no change in the baseline uAQP2 before 274(249) ng/(mmol creatinine/24 h) and 12 weeks after TIPS 242(201). There were no systematic changes in uAQP2, plasma vasopressin or other vasoactive substances during the water loads, before or after TIPS. CONCLUSION: The effective amelioration of portal hypertension improved the patient's water excretion and plasma sodium, but there was no change in renal AQP2 trafficking or vasopressin. These findings do not support a primary role for renal AQP2 water channels in portal hypertensive water retention.

Serum cystatin C as a novel marker to differentiate pseudoazotemia in the setting of intraperitoneal urine extravasation.

Urinary ascites results in pseudoazotemia due to urinary creatinine reabsorption across the peritoneum. We report a case of a pyeloplasty complicated by urine extravasation, in which the diagnosis was aided by discrepant findings of an elevated serum creatinine level but a stable cystatin C level. Cystatin C is a marker of renal function but is not typically excreted into the urine and therefore can be used to differentiate pseudoazotemia from true azotemia and is a better marker of renal function in the setting of known urinary ascites. These findings are relevant for patients with potential traumatic or nontraumatic sources of urine extravasation.

Urinary ascites due to persistent urogenital sinus: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Persistent urogenital sinus is one of the rare urogenital anomalies, which commonly presents as hydrometrocolpos. Fetal urinary ascites as a presentation of persistent urogenital sinus is extremely rare. CASE REPORT: We report on a preterm infant with antenatal diagnosis of hydrometrocolpos and massive urinary ascites secondary to urogenital sinus without any bladder or renal abnormalities. CONCLUSION: This case report emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion in the diagnosis of persistent urogenital sinus especially in infants presenting with urinary ascites along with hydrometrocolpos.

[Influence of non-sodium restricted diet with diuretics on plasma rennin, renal blood flow and in patients with cirrhotic ascites].

OBJECTIVE: To explore influence of sodium restricted diet and non-sodium restricted diet on plasma rennin (PRA), angiotensin II (All), ALD, renal blood flow (RBF) and subside of ascites in patients with cirrhotic ascites. METHODS: Eighty cases of hepatitis B with cirrhotic ascites were randomly divided into sodium restricted diet group and non-sodium restricted diet group. 39 cases were in non-sodium restricted diet group, taking sodium chloride 6500-8000 mg daily; 41 cases were in sodium restricted diet group, taking sodium chloride 5000 mg daily. Both groups received diuretics furosemide and spironolactone. Blood sodium, urine sodium, PRA, AII, ALD, RBF ascites subsiding were compared after treatment. RESULTS: In non-sodium restricted diet group, blood sodium and urine sodium increased 10 days after treatment compared with those before treatment, and compared with those of sodium restricted diet group 10 days after treatment, P <0. 01. RBF increased compared with that before treatment, and compared with that of sodium restricted diet group 10 days after treatment, P < 0. 01. Renal damage induced by low blood sodium after treatment was less in non-sodium restricted diet group than that in sodium restricted diet group, P <0. 05. Ascites disappearance upon discharge was more in sodium restricted diet group than that in non-sodium restricted diet group, P <0. 01. Time of ascites disappearance was shorter in non-sodium restricted diet group than that in sodium restricted diet group, P < 0. 01. CONCLUSION: Compared with sodium restricted diet, while using diuretics of both groups, non-sodium restricted diet can increase level of blood sodium, thus increasing excretion of urine sodium and diuretic effect. It can also decrease levels of PRA, AII and ALD, increase renal blood flow and prevent renal damage induced by low blood sodium and facilitate subsiding of ascites.

Neonatal urinary ascites complicated by ileal perforation in a recipient of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

We present a case of iatrogenic neonatal urinary ascites following antenatal amnioreduction in one of the monochorionic diamniotic recipient twin 2 of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). He had ileal perforation following postnatal abdominal paracentesis. The patient had an uneventful recovery following exploratory laparotomy, resection of perforated segment of ileum with end-to-end anastomosis and open vesicostomy with subsequent closure of the vesicostomy.

[2nd place in the competition of scientific papers in hepatology 2012].

THE AIM: To evaluate the effect of acute administration of dophamine on systemic hemodynamic, renal function and control ascities in patients with cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 51 patients with cirrhosis with normal serum Cr (mean age 54 +/- 3,0, males 90,3%, females 9,7%) were studied. All patients were measured of urine volume, sodium excretion, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), 24h blood pressure monitoring (BP) before and after dophamine intfavenous introduction (2-3 mkg/kg/min during 4 hours). Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a increase of GFR < 5% was the best value to predict refractor ascities (increase GFR > or = 10-15% is normal, GFR <6-9% - is initial sing of interglomerule's hypertension). RESULTS: 25 patients (48,5%) had a significant increase a urine volume (p = 0,03), sodium excretion (p = 0,04), GFR (by > or = 10%, p = 0,035), mean artery pressure (p = 0,01) after dophamine introduction. This group had a lower risk of developing refractor ascites (p = 0,001). 20 (30,9%) patients (9 patients - class B Child-Pugh, 8 patients - class C Child-Pugh) had demonstrated a authentic increase a urine volume and mean artery pressure, but low increase GFR (by < 6-9%, p = 0,05). GFR < 5% was in 6 (11,6%) patients (2 pts - class B Child-Pugh, 4 pts - class C Child-Pugh) and urine volume did not change, that means high risk of development of a refractory ascites in the given group. CONCLUSIONS: The acute hemodynamic response to dophamine can be used to predict current of ascites and the risk of refractory ascites.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): the anesthesiological point of view after 150 procedures managed under total intravenous anesthesia.

TIPS is a percutaneous procedure which diverts blood from the portal to the systemic circulation preventing rebleeding from varices and stopping or reducing the formation of ascites. The choice of the anaesthetic technique is still a matter of debate. Since January 2003, 150 consecutive TIPS were performed using total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), (propofol/fentanyl or remifentanil), endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Sixty-one patients were classified as ASA 2, 73 ASA 3, and 16 ASA 4. According to CHILD classification, 96 patients were in Class A, 48 in Class B, 6 in Class C. Mean duration f the procedure was 100+/-62 min. After TIPS placement Portal vein pressure decreased from 30+/-10 to 14+/-4 mmHg while RAP increased from 8+/-4 to 12+/-6 mmHg. Intraoperative fluid management included mainly crystalloids (750+/-200 ml, 5.4+/-1.5 ml/kg/h). Fresh frozen plasma (median 2 units, range 1-3) was given in 20 patients (13%) if PT INR was >2. Packed red cells (median 2 units, range 1-5) were transfused in 35 patients (23%) to keep haematocrit >25%; platelets were administered before the procedure if platelet count was <50,000x10(-9) (20 patients, 13%). Urine output was kept above 4 ml/kg/h with loops diuretics (mean diuresis 700+/-200 ml, 5+/-1.5 ml/kg/h). Ten patients (6.6%) required ICU after the procedure, because of intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Three patients (2%) died in the early postoperative period because of multiple organ failure associated with the acute deterioration of an already marginal hepatic function.

Spot urinary sodium for assessing dietary sodium restriction in cirrhotic ascites.

AIM: To evaluate the accuracy of spot urinary Na/K and Na/creatinine (Cr) ratios as an alternative to 24-h urinary sodium in monitoring dietary compliance in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites treated with diuretics. METHODS: The study was carried on 40 patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites treated with diuretic therapy. Patients were divided into two groups according to 24-h urinary sodium. We measured spot urine Na/K ratio, Na/Cr ratio and 24-h urinary sodium. Student's t test was used to compare the interval variables and chi(2) test to compare the nominal variables between the two groups. Receiver operator characteristic curve was used to identify the best cutoff point for Na/K and Na/Cr ratio. RESULTS: The best cutoff point for Na/K ratio was 2.5 (P < 0.001) and area under the curve (AUC) was 0.9, and for Na/Cr ratio, the best cutoff point was 35 (P < 0.001) and AUC was 0.885. Na/K ratio showed higher sensitivity and accuracy compared to Na/Cr ratio (87.5% and 87% for Na/K ratio; 81% and 85% for Na/Cr ratio, respectively). CONCLUSION: Spot urine Na/K ratio has adequate accuracy for assessment of dietary sodium restriction compared with 24-h urinary sodium in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites.

Clinical significance of measuring urinary sulfated bile acids in adult patients with hepatobiliary diseases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Measurement of urinary sulfated bile acid (USBA) level is a simple urine test that reflects the degree of cholestasis in newborns. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical significances of this test for liver diseases in adults. METHODOLOGY: We examined the relationship between USBA level in a urine sample by enzymatic assay and clinical parameters and postoperative complications in 27 patients with hepatobiliary diseases who underwent surgical procedures between 2002 and 2007. RESULTS: Mean USBA in all patients before surgery was 39.8 +/- 64.0 micromol/L (median value was 6.6). USBA level was increased in patients with cholestasis. USBA level was significantly correlated with serum total bile acid, total bilirubin level and serum hyaluronic acid level (r = 0.850, 0.602 and 0.504, respectively) (p < 0.05) and, furthermore, tended to be correlated with liver-uptake ratio (LHL15) by technetium-99m galactosyl human serum albumin (99SmTc-GSA) scintigraphy and alanine aminotransferase level (r = -0.469 and 0.436, respectively but not significant). USBA level tended to be associated with postoperative uncontrolled ascites (p = 0.050, not significant). Postoperative USBA level by day 7 was not changed; however, USBA level in patients with cholestatic diseases was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: USBA is a simple and sensitive noninvasive test for cholestasis and also useful to predict postoperative uncontrolled ascites after hepatic resections.

Review article: the utility of reagent strips in the diagnosis of infected ascites in cirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) can be diagnosed via leucocyte esterase reagent strips, although diagnostic performances vary. AIM: To perform critical review of literature on the use of reagent strips in SBP. METHODS: Nineteen studies were analysed (Medline search), comparing reagent strips in cirrhotic ascites vs. cytobacteriological methods. Diagnostic grades (G) were: GO = 0 leucocytes/mm3; G1 = 15; G2 = 70; G3 = 125; G4 = 500 for Multistix, GO = 0; G1 = 25; G2 = 75; G3 = 500 for Nephur, Combur, UriScan, and GO = 0; G1 = 25; G2 = 75; G3 = 250; G4 = 500 for Aution. RESULTS: Medians per study were: 75 patients (range: 31-1041), 136 ascites (47-2123), 17 SBP (5-117). For Multistix (12 studies), the sensitivities fell within the ranges 64.7-100% (G > or = 1), 45.7-83% (G > or = 2) and 45.3-89% (G > or = 3). For Nephur (n = 2), Combur (n = 6), UriScan (n = 1), sensitivities ranged 80.4-100% (G > or = 1), 63-100% (G > or = 2) and 67.7-97% (G > or = 3). For Aution (n = 3), sensitivities ranged 93-96% (G > or = 2) and 89% (G > or = 3). Nephur, Combur, UriScan displayed higher sensitivities than Multistix. However, in larger studies, sensitivities dramatically fell at 45.3% for Multistix (G > or = 3) if ascites polymorphonuclear count <1000/mm3 and 22.2% for bacterascites or 16.7-25% for asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSION: Use of reagent strips for the diagnosis of SBP cannot be recommended, in view of low sensitivity and a high risk of false negatives, especially in patients with SBP and low polymorphonuclear count.

Válvula da uretra posterior associada a urinoma perinefrético e ascite urinária / Posterior urethral valve associated to perinephric urinoma and urinary ascitis

A válvula de uretra posterior é a principal causa de obstrução do fluxo urinário na infância. Relatamos um caso de válvula de uretra posterior diagnosticada por uretrocistografia e ultra-sonografia, cuja função renal foi poupada devido a incomuns mecanismos redutores das pressões endovesicais.Seu diagnóstico e tratamento precoces foram decisivos no prognóstico do paciente.

The posterior urethral valve is the main cause of urinal flow obstructionin childhood. Here we report a case of a posterior urethral valve diagnosed by urethrocystography and ultrasonography,whose renal function was saved due to unusual reducing mechanisms of endovesical pressures. The diagnosis and early treatment were decisive in the prognosis of the patient.

Urinary ascites due to retroperitoneal fibrosis: a case report.

Urinary ascites in adults is usually secondary to iatrogenic or traumatic injuries. A case of a 69-year-old male with abdominal pain and decreased renal function is described. Ultrasound showed bilateral hydronephrosis and ascites. Computed tomography revealed retroperitoneal fibrosis complicated by a rupture at the right ureteropelvic junction and urine extravasation in the perirenal and intraperitoneal spaces. Delayed scans showed leaking of contrast media from the anterior perirenal space to the peritoneal cavity. The urinary ascites resolved using a double-J stent.

Massive urinary ascites after removal of a supra-pubic catheter: case report and review of the literature.

Urinary ascites is a rare diagnosis usually associated with intra-peritoneal bladder perforation. We present a case of massive urinary ascites in a patient who presented 1 week after a total abdominal hysterectomy and sacrocolpopexy. We discuss how the diagnosis was made, the mechanism of biochemical changes associated with urinary ascites and the management. In summary, we show that a combination of serum and ascitic biochemistry are essential to make a diagnosis of urinary ascites.