Which conditions are commonly associated with ascites?

• A. Liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and Budd-Chiari syndrome
• B. Myocardial infarction
• C. Peptic ulcer disease
• D. Pneumonia

Answer: (A)

Ascites arises when pressures in the liver’s blood system rise or oncotic support in the abdomen falls, allowing fluid to accumulate in the peritoneal cavity. Liver cirrhosis commonly causes portal hypertension, the main driver of ascites. Budd-Chiari syndrome, which blocks hepatic venous outflow, also increases hepatic and portal pressures and leads to ascites. These two conditions are the typical associations you should think of for ascites. In contrast, myocardial infarction isn’t a direct common cause ( though heart failure from any cause can lead to ascites ), and peptic ulcer disease or pneumonia do not typically cause ascites.