Colloid osmotic pressure in decompensated cirrhosis. A 'mirror image' of portal venous hypertension

Colloid osmotic pressure in plasma (IIP) and ascitic fluid (IIA) and hydrostatic pressures in the hepatoportal system were measured simultaneously in 20 patients with decompensated cirrhosis. IIP was significantly decreased (mean, 21 mm Hg, versus normal, 30 mm Hg; P less than 0.01), and IIA was significantly below that of plasma (average, 25% of IIP; P less than 0.01). Portal pressure (transmural), determined as wedged hepatic venous minus inferior vena caval pressure (WHV--IVCP), was significantly increased (mean, 18 mm Hg, versus normal, 3 mm Hg; P less than 0.01) and inversely correlated to IIA/IIP (r = -0.77, P less than 0.001). WHV--IVCP was in most patients in the same order as and closely correlated to effective colloid osmotic pressure (IIP--IIA) (r = 0.88, P less than 0.001). No relationship was found between WHV--IVCP and IIP. The results indicate that a fall in colloid osmotic pressure in the interstitial space and ascitic fluid is related to and most likely secondary to the elevated portal pressure in decompensated cirrhosis. Effective colloid osmotic pressure may therefore be regarded as a 'mirror image' of transmural portal pressure. The role of colloid osmotic pressure in the genesis and perpetuation of ascites should be reconsidered in the light of these findings.