Indications for Abdominal Paracentesis:

Indications for Abdominal Paracentesis

Introduction to Abdominal Paracentesis

Abdominal paracentesis is a medical procedure performed to remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

This procedure is commonly indicated in patients with ascites, which can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions.

Understanding when and why to perform abdominal paracentesis is crucial for effective patient management.

The key indications for abdominal paracentesis include:

Indication	Description
Diagnostic Purposes	To identify the cause of ascites and evaluate for infection or malignancy
Relief of Symptoms	To alleviate discomfort and pain caused by fluid accumulation
Therapeutic Purposes	To remove large volumes of ascitic fluid in patients with significant symptoms or respiratory compromise
Suspected Peritonitis	To assess for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with cirrhosis or ascites

Certain diseases are more likely to result in ascites, necessitating abdominal paracentesis. These diseases include:

Disease	Description
Cirrhosis	Chronic liver disease leading to portal hypertension and fluid accumulation
Heart Failure	Fluid buildup due to decreased cardiac output and increased venous pressure
Cancer	Malignancies, especially those of the abdomen, can cause ascites by direct invasion or metastasis
Kidney Disease	Nephrotic syndrome and chronic renal failure can lead to fluid retention