Serum sodium level is predictive for kidney injury or hyponatremia after modest-volume paracentesis (<5 L) in Asian patients with cirrhosis: A single-centered retrospective observational study

Post-paracentesis circulatory dysfunction (PPCD) is a well-known complication in patients with decompensated cirrhosis undergoing large-volume paracentesis (>5 L ascites removal). PPCD can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) and hyponatremia. Given the generally smaller body size observed in patients of Asian descent, we hypothesized that the removal of <5 L of ascitic fluid (modest-volume paracentesis; MVP) might also contribute to the development of PPCD. We investigated whether MVP could lead to AKI/hyponatremia in Thai patients with cirrhosis and identified the factor(s) associated with these outcomes. This was a retrospective, single-center study that included all consecutive patients with cirrhosis who underwent MVP at our unit between 2020 and 2021. Baseline characteristics and laboratory results obtained within 3 days prior to and 7 to 28 days following paracentesis were collected. The occurrence of AKI or hyponatremia was recorded, and the characteristics and laboratory findings of patients who developed these complications were compared with those who did not. During the study period, 73 MVPs were performed in 39 patients. Eight patients (20.5%) developed AKI/hyponatremia within 7 to 28 days of the procedure. Baseline serum sodium level was significantly lower in patients who developed AKI/hyponatremia compared to those who did not (131.0 ± 5.9 vs 135.6 ± 3.0 mEq/L, P = .004). A serum sodium cutoff value of 132 mEq/L showed a specificity and sensitivity of 0.9 and 0.63, respectively, for predicting the development of AKI/hyponatremia, with an area under the curve of 0.81. These findings highlight that PPCD resulted in AKI/hyponatremia, which was previously not anticipated, can indeed occur after paracentesis of <5 L in Thai cirrhotic patients. These results may have significant implications for clinical decision-making regarding the administration of albumin replacement therapy in Asian patients with cirrhosis who are to undergo paracentesis in future clinical practice.