Monday, September 28, 2009

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY of ASCITES






Cirrhosis of Portal Hypertension

Splanchnic arterial vasodilation

Decrease in circulating arterial blood volume

Activation of rennin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems and antidiuretic hormone

Kidney retains sodium and water

Hypervolemia
(Increased fluid volume)

Decreased synthesis of albumin moves fluid form the vascular system into the peritoneal space

Persistent activation of systems for retention of sodium and water

ascites and edema formation

Continued arterial underfilling; cycle repeats

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