Table 1.

Indications and contraindications for long-term abdominal drains (LTADs) in refractory ascites due to cirrhosis

Indications for LTAD	Contraindications for LTAD
Refractory ascites defined as per International Ascites Club criteria with need for repeated large volume paracentesis	Absolute	Relative
Not eligible for TIPS±liver transplant	Loculated/chylous ascites	Stage 4 CKD (eGFR <30 mL/min)
	Candidate for liver transplant/TIPS	Prior life-threatening SBP
	Actively dying, that is, expected die within days	Active infection
		Reasonable possibility of recompensation

CKD, chronic kidney disease; SBP, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; TIPS, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.