Abstract

Abstract Background. This study compared the changes in serum albumin, globulin, and colloid osmotic pressure (COP) before and after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or large volume paracentesis (LVP) in patients with ascites. Methods. Of 23 patients with refractory ascites, 17 had TIPS and 6 had LVP with infusion of albumin. Colloid osmotic pressure measurements were calculated, using the formula previously proposed by Hoefs: COP = A (1.058G + 0.163A + 3.11) where A = serum albumin and G = serum globulin. Results. After 1 month, ascites resolved in 9 of the 17 patients who had TIPS and in none of the 6 who had LVP. Colloid osmotic pressure increased significantly in patients whose ascites resolved after TIPS. Colloid osmotic pressure did not change in the patients whose ascites did not resolve after TIPS, and COP decreased significantly in the LVP group. A statistically significant difference was found in the pre‐TIPS COP measurements between those patients who had resolution of ascites and those who did not. A pre‐TIPS COP of ≤20 mm Hg predicted resolution of ascites with an 88% sensitivity and a 78% specificity. Conclusions. Serum COP increased significantly in patients with resolution of ascites but remained unchanged in patients with persistent ascites after TIPS. Serum COP decreased after LVP. A statistically significant difference in the pre‐TIPS COP was found between patients whose ascites resolved and patients having persistent ascites.