At a glance
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Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters for the Treatment of Refractory Ascites Management: A Randomized Un-Blinded Pilot Study
In Brief
A clinical study evaluating Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter, Large Volume Paracentesis, and 2 other interventions for Liver Cirrhosis and Ascites. Completed, enrolled 2 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
One complication of liver disease is the buildup of fluid within the belly. This is known as ascites. Patients who have ascites have a decreased appetite, pain, nausea and shortness of breath. Ascites is typically treated with medications, however when that does not work, patients need a procedure where a needle is inserted in the belly every few weeks to drain the excess fluid. About 2 in 5 patients with ascites from liver failure can get kidney disease from their worsening liver function or from the drainage of fluid with needles. Once patients have both advanced liver disease and kidney disease, their chance of dying largely increases. The present study will be the first of its kind to study a new technique to treat ascites. Investigators are planning to place a tube in a patient's belly to drain the excessive amounts of fluid. This technique is similar to how one type of dialysis is done to treat patients with kidney failure. This study is set as a pilot investigation in order to determine the feasibility of doing a larger, randomized clinical trial investigating the use of this novel technique. Importantly, advanced liver disease patients are at high risk to develop kidney disease, and therefore are an important group to focus on. Investigators believe that this technique will prevent or slow the development of kidney disease in liver failure patients, and improve their quality of life, far more than the current available treatments.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
Peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion in order to drain access fluid within the belly for patients with liver cirrhosis and refractory ascites.
Insertion of a needle into the peritoneal cavity where ascites accumulates, then attaching the needle to a collection system that drains the ascites by gravity. This procedure is part of the standard care for the treatment of refractory ascites.
Patients will be given Human Serum Albumin after the initial drain of ascites fluid: 100cc for 5-10L drainage, 200cc for 10-15L drainage.
Monthly bloodwork will be done as part of usual standard of care.