About this episode
Episode 200: All About Ascites. Jesica Mendoza explains the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of ascites. Dr. Arreaza adds input about early detection and prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Written by Jesica Mendoza, OMS IV, Western University, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. Edits and comments by Hector Arreaza, MD.You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice.Welcome to our episode 200! It is an honor to welcome back a wonderful medical student, her name is Jesica, and she has prepared this topic, and she is excited to share this information with us. Jesica presented in June this year an episode about gestational diabetes (episode 193) and today she will talk about ascites. Jesica, please tell us who you are again. What is ascites?Ascites is the buildup of fluid in between the visceral peritoneum and the parietal peritoneum in the abdomen. This is often caused by cirrhosis of the liver due to the increased portal HTN which leads to increased nitrous oxide (NO) and prostaglandins which then causes splanchnic vasodilation and decreased effective arterial volume. The decrease in arterial volume then causes an increase in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the renal system which leads to sodium and water retention. This then causes a net reabsorption of fluids and ascites.Evaluation of ascites.Once someone has been found to have ascites the next step will be a diagnostic paracentesis. This includes removing fluid from the peritoneal cavity in order to determine the SAAG (Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient) score. SAAG : (serum albumin) − (albumin level of ascitic fluid). The two values should be measured at the same time.This score helps determine the cause of the ascites with a score >1.1 g/dL indicating portal hypertension usually due to liver disease such as cirrhosis. A SAAG score of
