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Spironolactone Diuresis in Patients with Cirrhosis and Ascites

1970; BMJ; Volume: 4; Issue: 5732 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1136/bmj.4.5732.401

0959-8138

Rachelle Eggert,

Liver Disease and Transplantation

Increased aldosterone levels with consequent or diuretic-potentiated electrolyte abnormalities are an important consideration when patients with cirrhosis and ascites undergo diuresis. A simple clinical method using the urinary Na/K ratio as a guide to spironolactone dosage is outlined. Patients with a ratio greater than 1 responded well to 100 mg. of spironolactone a day; those when it was one or less responded well to 200 to 1,000 mg. a day. Administration of spironolactone alone (11 patients) or as the main diuretic (three patients) was a safe and effective means of inducing sustained uncomplicated diuresis in all these patients.