The aim of the study:To assess if values of total protein,albumin and cholesterol in blood plasma and ascites do have prognostic significance in patients with liver cirrhosis. Patients and methods: Paracentesis was performed in 169 patients with liver cirrhosis (99 males, 70 females,median 52.63±8.02 years). Median Child-Pugh score was 10.41±3.02 points. Four patients were in class A, 59 in class B, and 106 patients in class C of the Child-Pugh classification. Group 1: patients who died during treatment (40 patients), group 2: patients who were discharged in better condition after treatment (129 patients). Patients in group 1 were in higher Child-Pugh class than patients in group 2 (12.50±2.88 and 9.76±3.03, respectively, p<0.01). Results: Patients in group 1 compared with patients in group 2 had statistically significant lower plasma values of total protein (56.03±7.92 g/l and 63.03±8.01 g/l, respectively; p<0.01), lower plasma values of albumin (23.03±5.17 g/l and 28.34±6.03 g/l, respectively; p<0.01) and lower plasma values of cholesterol (2.25±1.31 mmol/l and 3.14±1.51 mmol/l, respectively; p<0.01), as well as lower values of previous parameters in ascites (total protein: 7.90±2.12 g/l and 14.43±8.22 g/l, respectively; p<0.01), (albumin: 4.03±1.32 g/l and 9.11±5.37 g/l, respectively; p<0.01), (cholesterol: 0.33±0.18 mmol/l and 0.82±0.61, respectively; p<0.01). Conclusions: Patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites, who died during treatment at dour department, at the time of admission have had statistically significant lower values of total protein, albumin and cholesterol in blood plasma and ascites in comparison with patients who survived.

        Key words: liver cirrhosis - ascites - total proteins - albumin - cholesterol.