
Understand the Formula and Results of the Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient
By John Joseph Pack MD
Published on 05/10/2026
The Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient can be used to help determine the cause of ascites. The formula for SAAG is the Serum Albumin - the Ascitic fluid albumin. If greater or equal to 1.1, this suggests portal hypertension and cirrhosis as the cause, which is the most common. Other causes can include heart failure, non-cirrhotic portal hypertension, Budd-Chiari Syndrome, and infiltrative hepatic disease. A gradient < 1.1 can include nephrotic syndrome, peritoneal carcinomatosis, pancreatitis, peritoneal tuberculosis, and serositis.
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