Nephrogenic ascites

Abstract

Nephrogenic ascites is a clinical diagnosis defined as persistent ascites in a uraemic patient without evidence of a causative specific underlying disease. Contributing mechanisms may include peritoneal membrane changes, fluid overload, hyperparathyroidism, reduced lymphatic drainage, heart failure and hypoproteinemia. A specific treatment has not yet been found. Rigid fluid control, intensive haemodialysis, high-protein diet, intravenous albumin infusion, intraperitoneal steroid injections and paracenteses as well as implantation of a peritoneoatrial pump were all found to be ineffective. Use of peritoneal dialysis has been shown to resolve ascites, but the only effective treatment is renal transplantation, as demonstrated in the case-report.