The clinical importance of determining aldosterone in the ascitic fluid

: A method for determination of aldosterone in ascitic fluid is worked out. In 20 patients with advanced liver cirrhosis and ascites the aldosterone level in the blood plasma and in the ascitic fluid was higher than in the healthy controls. The finding of elevated aldosterone level is important for the selection of diuretic since the efficacy of the diuretic treatment in patients with liver cirrhosis depends to a great extent on the level of renin activity and aldosterone.