Current opinion in critical care
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This review will give an overview of current trends in diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis of ascites and intraabdominal infection in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic critically ill patients. ⋯ Emerging pathophysiological concepts have modified the conventional view of hydrostatic and Starling forces in the evolution of ascites. Current data indicate that the dynamic sequence of bacterial translocation, mesenteric inflammation, splanchnic vasodilatation and intrahepatic vasoconstriction determines occurrence, severity, and outcome of ascites and intraabdominal infection.