Management of refractory ascites in cirrhosis: Are we out of date?

Effect of large volume paracentesis performed just prior to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt on the anesthetic management during the procedure

Background and Aims:

Patients often undergo paracentesis prior to a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure to improve respiratory mechanics. However, the effect of large volume paracentesis (LVP) on intraoperative hemodynamics and anesthetic management when it is performed immediately before the TIPS procedure is not well documented.

Material and Methods:

This is a retrospective study in patients undergoing the TIPS procedure between 2004 and 2017. Patients were divided into two groups based on the volume of preoperative paracentesis, namely, small volume paracentesis (SVP), defined as paracentesis volume less than 5 L and LVP, defined as paracentesis volume of at least 5 L. Patients' demographics and perioperative information were collected through chart review. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test, student's t-test, and Fisher's exact test were used when appropriate. Uni- and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to determine the predictive value of paracentesis volume in relation to intraoperative hemodynamics and management of hypotension.

Results:

Of 49 patients, 19 (39%) received LVP and the remainder received SVP. Baseline demographics were comparable between groups as were intraoperative hypotension and volume of infused crystalloid and colloid. However, vasopressor use (P = 0.02) and packed red blood cell transfusion (P = 0.01) were significantly higher in the large volume group. Paracentesis volume was an independent predictor of the phenylephrine dose (P = 0.0004), and of crystalloid (P = 0.05) and colloid (P = 0.009) volume administered after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, alcohol use, hemoglobin, and model for end-stage liver disease score.

Conclusion:

The anesthetic management of patients who undergo LVP just prior to a TIPS procedure may require larger doses of vasopressors and colloids to prevent intraoperative hemodynamic instability during the TIPS placement but may be as well tolerated as SVP.

Management of Refractory Ascites Due to Portal Hypertension: Current Status

Refractory ascites is a costly and debilitating condition that occurs most frequently in the setting of substantial cirrhotic portal hypertension, where it portends a poor prognosis. Many treatment options are available, among them medical management, serial large volume paracenteses, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts, and implanted drainage devices. Although the availability of multiple therapies ensures that most patients will achieve satisfactory results, it can be challenging for the provider to select the appropriate treatment for each specific patient. This article reviews the available therapeutic options for refractory ascites and incorporates available data and clinical experience to suggest a linear stepwise management approach to enhance patient outcomes.

High efficacy of low-dose albumin infusion in the prevention of paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction

Background

Large-volume paracentesis (LVP) is a main pillar in treating patients with tense ascites. Without plasma expanders use, paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction (PICD) is a common complication with decreased survival. The aim was to compare low-dose albumin (2 g/L ascitic fluid removed n = 85) with standard-dose albumin (6 g/L ascitic fluid removed, n = 25) for prevention of PICD. Liver function tests, urea, creatinine, CBC, and abdominal ultrasonography were done. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured at baseline and on the 6th day post-LVP. The delta change (Δ) = day 6 variable minus baseline variable value. PICD was defined as increase in PRA of > 50% of the baseline value.

Results

Patients in low-dose albumin group were mainly Child B compared with Child C (85.9% vs. 52%; p = 0.001), underwent less paracentesis volume (9.78 ± 3.56 vs. 12.52 ± 3.6 L; p = 0.001), but had higher baseline PRA (859.62 ± 1151.34 vs. 165.93 ± 95.34 pg/mL; p = 0.001). In both groups, the PRA increased at day 6 compared with the baseline (1141.57 ± 1433.01 vs. 859.62 ± 1151.34 pg/mL; p = 0.01) and (192.21 ± 80.99 vs. 165.93 ± 95.34 pg/mL; p = 0.01) respectively. Both groups were comparable for Δ PRA (281.95 ± 851.4 vs. 26.28 ± 30.2 pg/mL; p = 0.102) and PRA percent increase (10.97 ± 30.77 vs. 12.57 ± 14.87; p = 0.844). They had comparable PICD incidence (24.7% vs. 12%; p = 0.27). Females were more liable for PICD occurrence than males (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.125–7.547, p = 0.028) and so Child B patients than Child C (OR 8.4, 95% CI 1.072–65.767, p = 0.043).

Conclusion

Low-dose albumin infusion is comparable to the standard-dose albumin for the prevention of PICD.

Ascites management by cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy during recovery from drug-induced acute liver injury: a case report

Background

The symptoms of drug-induced hepatic injury are manifold; however, the presence of ascites indicates a severe disease condition. The rapid accumulation of ascites is distressing and requires palliative treatment. Because many cases are addressed by repeated large-volume paracentesis, often resulting in impairment due to protein and electrolyte loss, a different approach is required.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old Japanese man on maintenance dialysis was admitted to our hospital with acute liver injury. Our patient was diagnosed as having drug-induced liver injury due to warfarin or diltiazem, which started immediately after coronary artery bypass grafting 7 months previously. One month after admission, our patient’s hepatic encephalopathy remained grade 1 and his prothrombin time international normalized ratio was maintained at < 1.5. However, the liver was markedly atrophied with massive ascites. Although liver transplantation was desired, he was considered unfit for transplantation because of his renal and cardiac complications. Therefore, we devised a strategy to manage the massive ascites with cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy while awaiting liver regeneration. At first, cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy was required frequently because ascites accumulated rapidly. But the fluid retention interval was gradually extended as intended, and cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy was withdrawn after 8 months. During that time, the size of his liver increased from 1419 cm³ to 1587 cm³ on computed tomography.

Conclusions

Cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy is an apheresis therapy in which ascites are collected aseptically by paracentesis, concentrated, and then reinfused intravenously. This treatment has the advantage of preserving nutrition by reusing the fluid. Previously, cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy was used only for the management of ascites in patients with cirrhosis or carcinomatous peritonitis. This case suggests that palliation and maintenance of nutritional status with cell-free concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy may be useful as an adjunct to liver regeneration in drug-induced hepatic injury.

Palliative Paracentesis in the Home Setting: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

Management of ascites-related symptoms in home hospice and palliative care patients can be challenging. Ultrasound-guided paracentesis is a standard intervention for this indication, but generally requires transfer to a hospital or outpatient interventional-radiology (IR) setting; thus, such interventions are often not practical or attainable for home hospice and palliative care patients.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a mobile, in-home service that provides home-based palliative paracentesis (HBPP) as an interventional palliative option for patients with distressing symptoms related to ascites.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series. Setting/Subjects: Thirty patients with ascites, confirmed by portable bedside ultrasound, who underwent HBPP at their residence.

RESULTS

Thirty-three patients were referred for HBPP for symptomatic abdominal distention from March 1, 2019 to March 1, 2020. Thirty (91%) patients had ultrasound-confirmed ascites and received HBPP. All 30, verbalized appreciable symptom relief post-intervention. There were no reported post-procedural complications.

CONCLUSION

Home-based palliative paracentesis is a safe, effective, and convenient intervention for hospice and palliative care patients with symptomatic ascites.

Impact of Vaptans on Clinical Outcomes in Cirrhosis Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Vaptans have been confirmed to mobilize ascites and improve hyponatremia in cirrhosis patients. However, the effects of vaptans on all-cause mortality, ascites-related complications, and adverse events in cirrhosis patients have not been fully determined.

Objectives: To systematically evaluate the impact of vaptans on the clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis.

Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane’s Library electronic databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the clinical efficacy of vaptans in cirrhosis patients. The results were pooled with a random-effect model.

Results: Eighteen RCTs containing 3,059 cirrhosis patients with ascites and/or hyponatremia were included. Meta-analysis showed that vaptans did not significantly affect the risk of all-cause mortality (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.08, p = 0.83; I² = 2%), consistent with studies with short-term (< 26 weeks) and long-term (≥ 26 weeks) follow-up durations. Additionally, vaptans did not affect the incidence of variceal bleeding (RR: 0.96, p = 0.86), showed a trend of reduced incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (RR: 0.86, p = 0.09), significantly reduced the incidence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (RR: 0.75, p = 0.03), but did not significantly affect the risk of hepatorenal syndrome or renal failure (RR: 1.09, p = 0.36). Vaptans did not affect the incidence of adverse events in cirrhosis patients.

Discussion: Treatment with vaptans is not associated with improved survival in cirrhosis patients, although it may reduce the risk of hepatic encephalopathy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in these patients. The limitations of the current study include limited number of available studies, small sample sizes of the included studies, variations of baseline patient characteristics, and differences in the dose and duration of vaptans.

Management of refractory cirrhotic ascites: challenges and solutions

Among the various risky complications of liver cirrhosis, refractory ascites is associated with poor survival of cirrhotics and persistently worsens their quality of life (QOL). Major clinical guidelines worldwide define refractory ascites as ascites that cannot be managed by medical therapy either because of a lack of response to maximum doses of diuretics or because patients develop complications related to diuretic therapy that preclude the use of an effective dose of diuretics. Due to the difficulty in receiving a liver transplantation (LT), the ultimate solution for refractory ascites, most cirrhotic patients have selected the palliative therapy such as repeated serial paracentesis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, or peritoneovenous shunt to improve their QOL. During the past several decades, new interventions and methodologies, such as indwelling peritoneal catheter, peritoneal-urinary drainage, and cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy, have been introduced. In addition, new medical treatments with vasoconstrictors or vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists have been proposed. Both the benefits and risks of these old and new modalities have been extensively studied in relation to the pathophysiological changes in ascites formation. Although the best solution for refractory ascites is to eliminate hepatic failure either by LT or by causal treatment, the selection of the best palliative therapy for individual patients is of utmost importance, aiming at achieving the longest possible, comfortable life. This review briefly summarizes the changing landscape of variable treatment modalities for cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites, aiming at clarifying their possibilities and limitations. Evolving issues with regard to the impact of gut-derived systemic and local infection on the clinical course of cirrhotic patients have paved the way for the development of a new gut microbiome-based therapeutics. Thus, it should be further investigated whether the early therapeutic approach to gut dysbiosis provides a better solution for the management of cirrhotic ascites.

Paracentesis in cirrhotics is associated with increased risk of 30-day readmission

AIM

To determine the readmission rate, its reasons, predictors, and cost of 30-d readmission in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the nationwide readmission database (NRD) was performed during the calendar year 2013. All adults cirrhotics with a diagnosis of ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, or hepatic encephalopathy were identified by ICD-9 codes. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess predictors of 30-d readmission and cost of readmission.

RESULTS

Of the 59597 patients included in this study, 18319 (31%) were readmitted within 30 d. Majority (58%) of readmissions were for liver related reasons. Paracentesis was performed in 29832 (50%) patients on index admission. Independent predictors of 30-d readmission included age < 40 (OR: 1.39; CI: 1.19-1.64), age 40-64 (OR: 1.19; CI: 1.09-1.30), Medicaid (OR: 1.21; CI: 1.04-1.41) and Medicare coverage (OR: 1.13; CI: 1.02-1.26), > 3 Elixhauser comorbidity (OR: 1.13; CI: 1.05-1.22), nonalcoholic cirrhosis (OR: 1.16; CI: 1.10-1.23), paracentesis on index admission (OR: 1.28; CI: 1.21-1.36) and having hepatocellular carcinoma (OR: 1.21; CI: 1.05; 1.39). Cost of index admission was similar in patients readmitted and not readmitted (P-value: 0.34); however cost of care was significantly more on 30 d readmission ($30959 ± 762) as compared to index admission ($12403 ± 378), P-value: < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

Cirrhotic patients with ascites have a 33% chance of readmission within 30-d. Younger patients, with public insurance, nonalcoholic cirrhosis and increased comorbidity who underwent paracentesis are at increased risk of readmission. Risk factors for unplanned readmission should be targeted given these patients have higher healthcare utilization.

Prognosis of patients with ascites after PleurX insertion: an observational study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety of PleurX in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites.

METHODS

We prospectively registered patients who received a PleurX catheter cirrhosis-associated refractory ascites at our department from July 2015 to November 2016. Our control group consisted of matched cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites treated with large volume paracentesis (LVP) and patients with malignant ascites treated with PleurX during the same period.

RESULTS

We included 25 patients with cirrhosis-related ascites (7 in PleurX group) and 17 with malignant ascites (14 in PleurX group). Of these, six patients had hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis (5 in PleurX group). None were eligible for insertion of a TIPS or liver transplantation. The maximum duration of follow-up was (480 days) in the PleurX group and 366 days in the LVP group (median 84 and 173 days, respectively). There was no difference in mortality when comparing PleurX with LVP treatment (hazard ratios: 3.0 and 1.0, p = .23 and .96, respectively). Mortality was higher in patients with malignant ascites (p= .01). We found no significant differences in adverse events (incl. spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) or in P-albumin, P-creatinine and P-sodium between the groups.

CONCLUSION

PleurX insertion for the treatment of refractory ascites in cirrhotic patients appears to be safe. Prospective randomized trials are necessary in order to confirm these findings.