Characterization of ascites in cardiac cirrhosis: the value of ascitic fluid protein to screen for concurrent cardiac cirrhosis

AbstractsObjectives: Cardiogenic ascites has been well described regarding its pathophysiology and fluid characteristics in prior literatures. However, ascites in patients with cardiac cirrhosis has not been characterized as a separate entity despite its unique pathophysiology and clinical aspects. This study aims to describe the fluid profile of ascites of cardiac cirrhosis and explore the utility of ascitic fluid protein (AFP) to predict concurrent cardiac cirrhosis.Methods and materials: We retrospectively selected and reviewed samples from the patients with cardiogenic ascites with and without concurrent cardiac cirrhosis. Epidemiologic characters, serum laboratory values, and fluid characteristics were directly compared between the groups.Results: We analyzed 20 samples of ascitic fluid from the patients of cardiac cirrhosis and compared with 48 samples of non-cirrhotic cardiac ascites. The AFP was significantly lower in patients with cardiac cirrhosis (3.66g/dl) as compared to non-cirrhotic patients...