[Circulatory and respiratory effects of aspiration and reinfusion of ascites in cirrhosis. Apropos of 14 ascitic attacks treated by this method].

Aspiration and replacement of ascites in 14 patients with cirrhosis was carried out using a Rhodiascit (Rhône-Poulenc) apparatus. Hemodynamic studies were used to evaluate the effects of this therapy on circulatory and respiratory parameters. Results showed that the hemodynamic tolerance of the treatment, which produces a slow increase in blood volume, was excellent as there was an increase in the cardiac index without raising the pressure under which replacement was made. Futhermore, no adverse effects on blood respiratory functions were noted in these patients who had blood hypoxia before treatment, but the removal of ascitic fluid produced no improvement in arterial gasometric parameters which is contrary to what one would expect.