Table 1

Ascites Etiologies by Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient (SAAG)

Ascites Etiologies by SAAG

SAAG ≥ 11 g/L

SAAG < 11 g/L

Cirrhosis

Peritoneal carcinomatosis

Congestive heart failure

Pancreatitis

Alcoholic hepatitis

Nephrotic Syndrome

Hepatic metastases

Serositis

Portal vein thrombosis

Tuberculosis

Budd-Chiari syndrome

An elevated SAAG (11 g/L or greater) correlates with portal hypertension, whereas a low gradient indicates no portal hypertension [6].

Heikkila and Prebtani Diagnostic Pathology 2011 6:55   doi:10.1186/1746-1596-6-55