Abstract
Hemodynamics during paracentesis and reinfusion therapy in five patients with intractable ascites due to malignant tumors were investigated with a Swan-Ganz catheter.
With paracentesis, even when relatively rapid, the hemodynamics were basically stable, according to heart rate, systemic blood pressure, central venous pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary wedge pressure; and the cardiac output did not change significantly on removal of as much as 4, 800ml of ascites.
During reinfusion therapy, the central venous pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure and the pulmonary wedge pressure increased, slighty. The heart rate and blood pressure were essentially unaffected.
All cases showed symptomatic relief with no indication of shock.
From these results, both therapies appear safe.
