Trajectory of Ascites Pressure and Outcomes of Patients With Cirrhosis Undergoing Paracentesis.

INTRODUCTION

Ascites severity is an important prognostic marker of liver disease. We hypothesize that ascites pressure correlates with outcomes of patients undergoing therapeutic paracentesis.

METHODS

Adults with portal hypertensive ascites (n = 87) undergoing therapeutic paracentesis (n = 261) had pressure measured during drainage using a noninvasive manometer setup and were followed for 365 days.

RESULTS

Pressure drop during paracentesis was associated with event-free survival after adjusting for Model for End Stage Liver Disease 3.0 and age (adjusted hazard ratio 0.43 per 5 cmH 2 O, 95% confidence interval [0.21, 0.90], P = 0.02), but volume drained was not.

DISCUSSION: Ascites pressure provides Model for End Stage Liver Disease-independent prognostic information in patients undergoing paracentesis.