Life Expectancy and End-Stage Symptoms of Liver Cirrhosis with Ascites

Liver cirrhosis with advanced ascites significantly reduces life expectancy, often limiting survival to approximately 1-2 years without effective intervention. However, this prognosis can vary depending on the patient's overall health, response to treatment, and whether aggressive therapies are pursued.

Timely medical care plays a crucial role in extending survival time. With proper management, including diuretics, albumin infusions, and nutritional support, symptoms such as fluid buildup in the abdomen can be reduced or even resolved. In some cases, liver transplantation offers the potential to extend life beyond 10 years or more, dramatically improving long-term outcomes.

When treatment options are limited or no longer viable, patients may experience severe complications before death. Common end-stage symptoms include gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, and coma. These may manifest as vomiting blood, black tarry stools, confusion, and loss of consciousness due to liver failure.

Organ dysfunction also becomes increasingly apparent in the final stages. Complications such as hepatorenal syndrome may develop, leading to reduced urine output or complete absence of urination. Hepatopulmonary syndrome and respiratory failure can cause shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, further deteriorating the patient's condition.

Managing ascites through medical therapy and nutritional support remains a key focus during this stage. Albumin replacement and diuretic therapy help reduce fluid accumulation and improve comfort. Although survival is limited without a transplant, palliative care strategies aim to enhance quality of life and alleviate distressing symptoms.