Electrolyte and osmolar changes during extracorporeal ultrafiltration of hepatic cirrhosis ascites

: Ultrafiltration of ascitic fluid with intraperitoneally reinfusion of concentrate was performed on 4 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and ascites. Ascites was removed, ultrafiltered using a parallel plate dialyzer and returned to the peritoneal space via a single catheter. A mean of 4693 ml (range 2000ml-8000ml) of protein free ascitic fluid was removed over the 2-3 hour period of ultrafiltration without evidence of worsening hypovolemia or deterioration of renal function.