2016 Volume 22 Issue 2 Pages 139-145
Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) may be effective as a therapeutic procedure for intractable ascites, since the procedure can attenuate the decrease of serum protein levels due to ascites drainage through injection of the obtained protein into the vessels. Usefulness of CART was evaluated in 25 patients with cirrhosis suffering from refractory ascites. Short-term efficacy was evaluated based on the duration from the third time procedure and/or the final procedure done within 3 months of the therapies to the next time procedure, and 10 patients showing the duration of 30 days or more were classified as responders, while 15 patients less than 30 days as non-responders. In these patients, the long-term efficacy was evaluated based on CART-free periods later than the recent procedure, and the periods were 30 days or more in all responders, while were less than 30 days in 12 among 15 non-responders. CART seems to be effective especially for patients showing a favorable short-term outcome.
