Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: A Rare Complication of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

Approximately 3% of all diagnosed cases of ascites are of cardiac etiology. Although more commonly associated with heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension is a known but rare cause of cardiac ascites, which has not been associated with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. We present a case of a 75-year-old male with known pulmonary arterial hypertension and new-onset ascites, the fluid analysis of which was consistent with both cardiac ascites and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. He was successfully managed with antibiotics, loop diuretics, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.

Keywords

• pulmonary hypertension
• right-sided catheterization
• pulmonary circulation
• right ventricle
• echocardiography