To study the effect of large volume paracentesis (LVP) on pulmonary function in patients with cirrhosis of liver and tense ascites. Ten patients having alcoholic cirrhosis with ascites were subjected to LVP (mean 6.3 +/- 0.3 L). Pre and post paracentesis spirometry and arterial blood gas analysis were performed and compared. Baseline mean lung volumes and arterial pO2 were reduced from normal predicted values. Air flow was found normal. After LVP, an increase in absolute values of vital capacity, forced expiratory flow in first second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow was observed; only the improvement in FEV1 was significant p 0.05). Arterial pO2 also showed significant (p < 0.01) improvement after LVP. LVP leads to improvement in measured pulmonary function.
