[Blood catecholamines in liver cirrhosis].

Haematic concentrations of catecholamines were found to be higher in cirrhotic patients with ascites, than cirrhotic patients without ascites and controls. In compensated and decompensated cirrhosis, different forms of sympathetic nervous activity were observed. The high catecholamine values in cirrhotic patients and the activation of the renin angiotensin-aldosterone system suggest the use of beta-blockers to reduce sodium-water retention.