1.0 Introduction. Ascites is a major complication of cirrhosis, 1 occurring in 50% of patients over 10 years of follow up. 2 The development of ascites is an important landmark in the natural history of cirrhosis as it is associated with a 50% mortality over two years, 2,3,4,5 and signifies the need to consider liver transplantation as a therapeutic option. 3 The majority (75%) of patients who ....