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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 28, 2014; 20(32): 11400-11405
Published online Aug 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i32.11400
Published online Aug 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i32.11400
Clinical efficacy of tolvaptan for treatment of refractory ascites in liver cirrhosis patients
Xin Zhang, Shu-Zhen Wang, Jun-Fu Zheng, Wen-Min Zhao, Peng Li, Chun-Lei Fan, Bing Li, Pei-Ling Dong, Lei Li, Hui-Guo Ding, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You’an Hospital, Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
Author contributions: Zhang X and Wang SZ contributed equally to the manuscript; Ding HG, Zhang X, Wang SZ and Zheng JF analyzed the data; Zhang X, Wang SZ and Ding HG wrote the manuscript; Ding HG was also responsible for this project and the final revised manuscript; The other authors contributed to data acquisition, patient care and follow up.
Supported by The Program of Beijing Science and Technology Commission, No. D131100005313004; and the Beijing High-Level Talent Academic Leader/Personnel Training Programs awarded to Ding HG, 2011-2-19; Li B, 2013-3-072; and Li L, 2013-3-073
Correspondence to: Hui-Guo Ding, MD, PhD, Director, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You’an Hospital, Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Fengtai District, Beijing 100069, China. dinghuiguo@medmail.com.cn
Telephone: +86-10-83997155 Fax: +86-10-63295525
Received: February 8, 2014
Revised: April 11, 2014
Accepted: May 12, 2014
Published online: August 28, 2014
Processing time: 201 Days and 19.7 Hours
Revised: April 11, 2014
Accepted: May 12, 2014
Published online: August 28, 2014
Processing time: 201 Days and 19.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: This study showed that tolvaptan, a new aquaretic drug, is an effective and safe potential treatment for refractory ascites in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, especially in patients with further complications, such as hepatorenal syndrome and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. Tolvaptan significantly increased the serum sodium levels in patients with hyponatremia.