Introduction to Ascites
Ascites is a condition that refers to the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal or abdominal cavity. Ascites is most commonly caused by liver damage and other medical terms for this condition include peritoneal cavity fluid, hydroperitoneum or abdominal dropsy.  Ascites that is caused by liver damage is referred to as cirrhotic ascites. Ascites in the abdomen can also be traced back to other sources such as heart failure, kidney failure, and cancer.

Ascites is traditionally divided into two types or categories – exudative and transudative ascites depending on the amount of protein found in the peritoneal fluid.  Another method to categorize the type of ascites is by measuring the amount of albumin in the fluid and compare this to the serum albumin found in the blood. This is referred to as the SAAG or the Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient. Ascites caused by cirrhosis or heart failure generally has a SAAG score greater than 1.1 whereas the SAAG score of ascites caused by other reasons is generally lower than 1.1