Chinic investigation of the correlation between serum-ascites albumin concentration gradient and esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

To examine the relationship between serum-ascites albumin concentration gradient(SAAG) measurements and the occurrence of gastrointestinal(GI) haemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.Albumin levels in the serum and ascites and esophageal varices(EV) and portal vein diameter were studied,and the correlation berween these parameters was assessed in 62 patients with cirrhosis detected.In patients with cirrhosis and ascites,the presence of EV and GI is associated with high SAAG.The level of SAAG in patients with GI bleeding was 21.34 g/L±2.46g/L and in patients without GI bleeding was 15.57g/L±1.7g/L.The diameter of portal vein in patients with GI bleeding was 1.43 cm±0.12cm and in patients without GI bleeding was 1.08cm±0.14cm.There was a statistical significance between them.The high levdl of SAAG and great diameter of portal vein were useful means to predict the presence of EV and GI in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.