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🫃 Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient (SAAG)

UseClassify ascites in the diagnostic work-up.

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SourceRunyon BA, et al. Ann Intern Med 1992

Runs locally in your browser (no PHI uploaded). For licensed clinicians — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Stored on this device for revisit reminders

This-shift next steps

After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.

Scene next step
📋liverOpen scene pack →
Related scores
Matching pathway
🧭cholangitisOpen pathway →
Score + version; reference only — not a substitute for care · no HIS write

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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Clinical takeaway

≥ 1.1 g/dL is ~97% accurate for portal hypertension.

When to use

Classify ascites in the diagnostic work-up.

How it works

SAAG = serum albumin − ascites albumin (same-day samples). ≥ 1.1 g/dL indicates portal hypertension.

Key points

  • ≥ 1.1 g/dL is ~97% accurate for portal hypertension.
  • Add ascitic total protein to separate cardiac from cirrhotic ascites.
  • < 1.1 suggests malignancy, TB or pancreatitis.

References

Worked calculation

The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.

Serum albumin3.5 g/dL
Ascites albumin1.0 g/dL

→SAAG2.5g/dL

  • Interpretation：≥ 1.1 — portal hypertension (e.g. cirrhosis, heart failure)
  • Formula：serum albumin − ascites albumin (same-day samples)
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the limits and cautions when using Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient (SAAG)?
For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
Does Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient (SAAG) upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
How is Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient (SAAG) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: Serum albumin 3.5 g/dL, Ascites albumin 1.0 g/dL → Result: SAAG 2.5 g/dL（Interpretation: ≥ 1.1 — portal hypertension (e.g. cirrhosis, heart failure), Formula: serum albumin − ascites albumin (same-day samples)）
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