A patient with refractory ascites is at increased risk for mortality if treated with a beta-blocker.
Risk factors for mortality in a patient with refractory ascites:
(1) beta-blocker therapy
(2) Child-Pugh grade C cirrhosis
(3) hyponatremia
(4) renal failure
A patient receiving beta-blockers is at increased risk for paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction (PICD), with a drop in mean arterial pressure and no increase in heart rate.
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