Respiratory impact of paracentesis in cirrhotic patients with acute lung injury.

INTRODUCTION

Ascites may contribute to the loss of lung volume and alter the gas exchange in cirrhotic patients with acute lung injury (ALI).

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of paracentesis on respiratory parameters in ventilated cirrhotic patients with ALI.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective trial in an intensive care unit of a university hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-one cirrhotic patients on mechanical ventilation (with ALI) requiring paracentesis were included in this study. Arterial blood gases, intraabdominal pressures, ventilator parameters, and lung volumes were measured before and after the ascitic drainage.

RESULTS

Following paracentesis, the intraabdominal pressure decreased (24.1 ± 7.0 vs 12.3 ± 8.9 mm Hg, P < .0001) and the Pao(2)/Fio(2) improved significantly (190.0 ± 65.2 vs 284.9 ± 76.1 mm Hg, P < .0001), without hemodynamic disturbances. End-expiratory lung volume, markedly reduced before drainage, increased significantly following paracentesis (Δ end-expiratory lung volume: +463 ± 249 mL, P = .0009). No adverse effects related to the paracentesis were encountered.

CONCLUSION

In contrast to ventilatory recruitment maneuvers, paracentesis is a simple and well-tolerated technique able to improve oxygenation and alveolar recruitment without the risk of the lung overdistension in severely hypoxemic cirrhotic patients.