Objective: We sought to determine the correlation between the level of serum-ascites albumin concentration gradient (SAAG) and the complications of portal hypertension (PHTN), manifested by the presence and grade of esophageal varices (EV).

Material and methods: Our study included 32 patients with ascites, demonstrated by ultrasonography, who had measurement of the SAAG. All had upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with assessment of the presence and size of EV. High SAAG was considered to be present when SAAG was >= 1.1 g/dl and Low SAAG when it measured < 1.1 g/dl.

Results: We found that 25 of 32 (78.13%) patients had High SAAG and 7 of 32 (21.87%) had Low SAAG. Esophageal varices were present in 18 of 25 (72%) patients with High SAAG and in none of 7 (0%) patients with Low SAAG (p =< 0.001). Among patients with High SAAG, EV were present in four of 8 patients (50%) with SAAG values of 1.10-1.49g/dl; in four of seven patients (57.1%) with SAAG values of 1.50-1.99g/dl; and in ten of ten (100%) with SAAG values of >= 2.0g/dl (p = 0.037). The size of the esophageal varices had no association with the level of SAAG in patients with High SAAG (p = 0.426).

Conclusions: In patients with ascites the presence of esophageal varices is associated only with patients with High SAAG. The presence of EV in patients with ascites and High SAAG is directly related to the degree of SAAG. The size of the EV in patients with ascites and High SAAG is not associated with the degree of SAAG.