Ascites laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Eiman Ghaffarpasand, M.D. [2]

Overview

The only diagnostic laboratory finding associated with ascites is serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG). SAAG is defined as the difference between albumin level in serum and ascites. Other diagnostic laboratory findings may reveal the underlying causes of ascites. Cirrhosis, as the most common cause of ascites, reveals elevated liver enzymes, creatinine, international normalized ratio (INR) along with decreased albumin, platelet count, hemoglobin (anemia), and white blood cell (WBC) count.

The only diagnostic laboratory finding associated with ascites is serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG).^[1]
- SAAG is defined as the difference between albumin level in serum and ascites.^[2]
  - SAAG ≥ 1.1 g/dL reflects transudate ascites fluid.
  - SAAG < 1.1 g/dL reflects exudate ascites fluid.

Other diagnostic laboratory findings may reveal the underlying causes of ascites.^[3]

↑ Uddin MS, Hoque MI, Islam MB, Uddin MK, Haq I, Mondol G, Tariquzzaman M (2013). “Serum-ascites albumin gradient in differential diagnosis of ascites”. Mymensingh Med J. 22 (4): 748–54. PMID 24292307.
↑ Runyon BA, Montano AA, Akriviadis EA, Antillon MR, Irving MA, McHutchison JG. The serum-ascites albumin gradient is superior to the exudate-transudate concept in the differential diagnosis of ascites. Ann Intern Med 1992;117:215-20. PMID 1616215.
↑ Warrell DA, Cox TN, Firth JD, Benz ED. Oxford textbook of medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN 0-19-262922-0.