Ascites

Question 1

What is SAAG

Answer 1

Ratio of albumin in the plasma compared to the ascites.

SAAG=serum alubmin conc-ascites albumin conc

Question 2

What does high SAAG indicate

Answer 2

SAAG >11 indicates transudate because the ambumin conc in the ascites is low.

This is often due to portal hypertension, the differntials are cirrohiss, constrictive pericarditis, congestive cardiac failure, budd-chiari and hepatic venous obstruction

Question 3

What does low SAAG indiacte

Answer 3

SAAG <11 indicates exudate because the ambumin conc in the ascites is high.

NEPHROTIC syndrome is the exception. The ascitic fluid doesn’t have high protein concentration, but the serum has a reduced albumin because it is freely filtered through damaged glomeruli.

Other causes invlude malignancy, pancreatitis, infection and bowel obstruction