Correlation Between Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient And Esophageal Varices In Portal Hypertension

Abstract

Portal hypertension is responsible for complications of cirrhosis such as bleeding esophageal varices (EV) and ascites. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) and presence of EV and their grades in patients with portal hypertension. Patients and Methods: Thirty three chronic liver disease patients with ascites were studied. They were subjected to clinico-laboratory assessment, ascitic fluid analysis, calculation of SAAG, abdominal ultrasonography and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Results: The results showed that a cutoff ">1.4" for SAAG to predict the presence of varices with a specificity and a positive predictive value of 100%, the accuracy of this cutoff was 56.1%. However, it had a low sensitivity and a low negative predictive value. A cutoff ">1.2" for SAAG to discriminate between large and small varices yielded a specificity of 69.2% and a positive predictive value of 66.7%, the accuracy of this cutoff was 60%. However, it had a relatively low sensitivity and low negative predictive value. Conclusions: A cutoff ">1.4" for SAAG to predict the presence of varices yielded a specificity and a positive predictive value of 100%, the accuracy of this cutoff was 56.1%. [Enas Allam; Dalia Ghoraba; Sara Abdelhakam 1 and Wesam A. Ibrahim. Correlation between Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient and Esophageal Varices in Patients with Portal Hypertension. Report and Opinion 2011;3(8):39-49]. (ISSN: 1553-9873). http://www.sciencepub.net.