Haemodynamic improvements after peritoneovenous shunting in nephrogenic ascites

ABSTRACT

A patient being treated by regular hemodyalisis for end-stage renal failure had nephrogenic ascites. Despite attempts at fluid removal by ultrafiltration, progressive hypotension and low cardiac output eventually reduced fistula flow so much that haemodylasis became almost impossible. The insertion of a peritoneovenus shunt resulted in reduction of ascites and 78 percent increase in cardiac output, with consequent correction of hypotension and improvement of fistula flow. Peritoneovenous shunting is a simple and beneficial form of treatment for nephrogenic ascites that does not respond to fluid removal by dialysis (Summary)