Peritoneal catheter for massive cardiac ascites.

Cardiac ascites represents 5% of all causes of ascites. Diuretics and salt restriction remain the cornerstone of management. Large volume paracentesis is needed among patients who do not respond to conservative management. The use of peritoneal catheters to continuously drain steady amounts of ascitic fluid has been generally used in malignant ascites. When the ascites of any other origin is massive and requires many consecutive days of large-volume paracentesis, the use of a catheter may represent a more convenient strategy. We present a patient with cardiac ascites that was successfully managed with a peritoneal catheter.