The Evaluation of Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient and Portal Hypertensive changes in Cirrhotic Patients with Ascites

INTRODUCTION: Ascites is a common complication of chronic liver diseases and is related to the extent of portal hypertension. This study evaluated whether the serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) (the difference between the albumin level of serum and of ascitic fluid) is endowed with clinical implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study involving 50 patients with cirrhosis of liver with ascites. The SAAG was measured in all patients and its relation with portal hypertensive changes was analyzed. RESULTS: Based on SAAG values, the patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 - SAAG value 1.1 to 1.49 gm/dL (n = 15); group 2 - SAAG value 1.5 to 1.99 gm/dL (n = 9); and group 3 - SAAG value 2.0 gm/dL (n = 26). In group 1, 14 patients had esophageal varices (93.3%) and 13 had gastropathy (86.6%). In group 2, all 9 patients had esophageal varices (100%), 7 (77.7%) had gastropathy, and 1 (11.1%) had gastric varices. In group 3, all 26 patients had esophageal varices (100%), 24 patients (92.3%) had gastropathy, and 1 patients (3.8%) had gastric varices. CONCLUSION: Serum ascites albumin gradient value is weakly related to the extent of portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis and its implication seems to be limited in clinics. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Shahed FHM, Al-Mahtab M, Rahman S. The Evaluation of Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient and Portal Hypertensive changes in Cirrhotic Patients with Ascites. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2016;6(1):8-9.