What is Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient?
Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient defines presence of portal hypertension in patients with ascites. It is more useful than the total protein concentration of ascitic fluid in the classification of ascites. This gradient is physiologically based on oncotic-hydrostatic balance and is related directly to portal pressure. A high gradient (> 1.1 g/dL, >11g/L) indicates the ascites is due to portal hypertension, either liver related or non-liver related, with approximately 97% accuracy. This is due to increased hydrostatic pressure within the blood vessels of the hepatic portal system while a low gradient (< 1.1 g/dL, <11 g/L) indicates causes of ascites not associated with increased portal pressure such as: tuberculosis, pancreatitis, infections.
How to Calculate Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient?
Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient calculator uses Ascites Albumin Gradient = Serum Albumin Level-Ascites Albumin Level to calculate the Ascites Albumin Gradient, The serum-ascites albumin gradient or gap (SAAG) is a calculation used in medicine to help determine the cause of ascites. Ascites Albumin Gradient is denoted by SAAG symbol.
How to calculate Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient using this online calculator? To use this online calculator for Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient, enter Serum Albumin Level (SAL) & Ascites Albumin Level (AA Level) and hit the calculate button. Here is how the Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient calculation can be explained with given input values -> 0.13 = 55-42.