Cirrosis hepática con ascitis refractaria y función renal alterada: efectos de la infusion de plasma fresco y furosemide

: An alteration of renal function may be the main factor responsible for refractoriness of ascites in cirrhotic patients. We treated 10 such patients with intravenous infusion of 600 ml fresh human plasma and 600 mg of furosemide. Two hr after infusion, a significant increase in Na and K urinary excretion, urine volume and osmolality and GFR was observed. Twenty four hr after infusion, these values were decreased but still above pre infusion levels. We conclude that plasma infusion in association to furosemide significantly improves renal function in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites.