SAAG Calculator

Serum Albumin Concentration:

Ascitic Fluid Albumin Concentration:

Output Unit:

1. What is a SAAG Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient (SAAG) by subtracting the ascitic fluid albumin concentration from the serum albumin concentration, helping to determine the cause of ascites.

Purpose: It assists in diagnosing the underlying cause of ascites, distinguishing between portal hypertension (e.g., liver cirrhosis) and non-portal or peritoneal origins (e.g., peritonitis).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula to compute SAAG:

\( \text{SAAG} = \text{Serum Albumin} - \text{Ascitic Fluid Albumin} \)

Unit Conversions:

1 g/dL = 0.01 g/mL = 0.00001 g/μL = 1000 mg/dL = 10 mg/mL = 0.01 mg/μL = 1000000 μg/dL = 10000 μg/mL

Inputs:

Serum Albumin Concentration (g/dL, g/mL, g/μL, mg/dL, mg/mL, mg/μL, μg/dL, μg/mL)
Ascitic Fluid Albumin Concentration (same units)
Output Unit (same units)

Health Status Thresholds:

SAAG > 1.1 g/dL (> 11 g/L): Indicates portal hypertension (e.g., liver cirrhosis).
SAAG ≤ 1.1 g/dL (≤ 11 g/L): Indicates a non-portal or peritoneal origin (e.g., peritonitis).

Steps:

Input your Serum Albumin and Ascitic Fluid Albumin concentrations, selecting the unit for each.
Select the desired output unit for the SAAG.
The calculator converts all inputs to g/dL for calculation, computes the SAAG, and converts the result to the chosen output unit.
Review the health status message based on the SAAG value.

3. Importance of SAAG Calculations

Calculating SAAG is useful for:

Diagnosis of Ascites Cause: SAAG helps differentiate between portal hypertension-related causes (e.g., liver cirrhosis) and non-portal causes (e.g., peritonitis), guiding appropriate medical evaluation and treatment.
Clinical Decision-Making: Provides a reliable (97% accuracy) indicator for portal hypertension when SAAG > 1.1 g/dL, aiding in diagnosis and management.
Health Monitoring: Assists in monitoring conditions affecting albumin levels, such as liver disease or peritoneal disorders.

4. Using the Calculator

Examples:

Serum Albumin 4.23 g/dL, Ascitic Fluid Albumin 3.54 g/dL (Output Unit: g/dL):
SAAG: \( 4.23 - 3.54 = 0.69 \, \text{g/dL} \).
Health Message: "Your SAAG is less than or equal to 1.1 g/dL (11 g/L), indicating a non-portal or peritoneal origin (e.g., peritonitis). Consult your healthcare provider for further evaluation."
Serum Albumin 4200 mg/dL, Ascitic Fluid Albumin 2000 mg/dL (Output Unit: mg/dL):
Convert to g/dL: Serum Albumin: \( 4200 \div 1000 = 4.2 \, \text{g/dL} \), Ascitic Fluid Albumin: \( 2000 \div 1000 = 2.0 \, \text{g/dL} \).
SAAG in g/dL: \( 4.2 - 2.0 = 2.2 \, \text{g/dL} \).
Convert to mg/dL: \( 2.2 \times 1000 = 2200.00 \, \text{mg/dL} \).
Health Message: "Your SAAG is greater than 1.1 g/dL (11 g/L), indicating a reliable (97% accuracy) diagnosis of portal hypertension (e.g., liver cirrhosis). Consult your healthcare provider for further evaluation."

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SAAG?
A: The Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient (SAAG) is a medical calculation used to determine the cause of ascites by comparing the albumin concentration in serum and ascitic fluid.

Q: Why is it important to measure serum and ascitic fluid albumin at the same time?
A: Fluids in the body are in dynamic equilibrium, and albumin levels can vary during ascites. Measuring both at the same time ensures the SAAG calculation accurately reflects the gradient.

Q: How can varying albumin levels affect other calculations?
A: Varying albumin levels during ascites can affect the calculation of calcium levels. This inaccuracy can be corrected using a corrected calcium calculator, as noted in the Omni Calculator documentation.