From sodium retention to refractory ascites: the role of new drugs

摘要

Abnormal renal sodium handling is an early and common complication of liver cirrhosis and eventually results in ascites formation. The development of ascites significantly increases the morbidity of these patients and adversely affects their prognosis, with a 50% 2-year survival at the time of development of ascites, worsening significantly to 20-50% at 1 year when the ascites becomes refractory to medical therapy.