"Ascites: Physiopathology, Treatment, Complications and Prognosis" ed. by Luis Rodrigo

In this book, the authors describe the physiopathology of the diverse causes of ascites,the types of treatments recommended, the recent advances achieved, the complications and the prognosis of the different clinical situations that doctors must face.

The term "ascites" is from the Greek word askites meaning "baglike." Although most commonly due to cirrhosis, severe liver disease or metastatic cancer, its presence can be a sign of other significant medical problems, such as Budd-Chiari syndrome. Diagnosis of the cause is usually done with blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the abdomen, and direct removal of the fluid by a needle or paracentesis (which may also be therapeutic). Treatment using medications (diuretics), external drainage, or other treatments is clearly defined.

Contents
1 Introductory Chapter: Treatment of Ascites Associated with Cirrhosis and Its Complications
2 Cirrhotic Ascites: Pathophysiological Changes and Clinical Implications
3 Modern Tools for Diagnosis in Tuberculous Ascites
4 Ascitic Fluid in Ovarian Carcinoma – From Pathophysiology to the Treatment
5 Ascites: Treatment, Complications, and Prognosis
6 Pharmacological Therapy of Ascites
7 Predictors of the Response to Tolvaptan Therapy and Its Effect on Prognosis in Cirrhotic Patients with Ascites
8 Non-pharmacological Treatment of Ascites
9 Ascites in Ovarian Cancer Progression: Opportunities for Biomarker Discovery and New Avenues for Targeted Therapies