Efficacy comparison of albumin infusion and terlipressin infusion after large-volume paracentesis

Abstract

Objective To compare the effect of albumin infusion and terlipressin infusion on the body and the effect of ascites after large-volume paracentesis. Methods A total of 92 severe cirrhosis patients with ascites were randomly divided into albumin group and terlipressin group, and all of them were given routine treatment and abdominal paracentesis ascites. Albumin group was given intravenous infusion of albumin, terlipressin group was given terlipressin injection. The total course of treatment was one week. Plasma renin activity, albumin and bilirubin levels were measured before and at the end of treatment. Results The effective rate of ascites in the terlipressin group was higher than that in the albumin group (P=0.04). The differences of plasma renin activity, serum sodium and creatinine levels, incidence of post-paracentesis circulatory dysfunction between the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). The mean arterial pressure in the terlipressin group was higher than that before treatment and in the albumin group (P=0.009, P=0.004). Conclusions Terlipressin can replace albumin to prevent circulatory dysfunction of cirrhotic patients with severe ascites after massive abdominal paracentesis and can improve the efficiency of severe ascites treatment. Key words: Massive abdominal paracentesis; Albumin; Terlipression