Hepatic hydrothorax as a manifestation of decompensated cirrhosis: An update on current management and future directions

Table 1 Biochemical profiles of transudative vs exudative pleural aspirates

	Transudate	Exudate
Pleural: Serum protein	< 0.5 g/dL	> 0.5 g/dL
Pleural: Serum LDH	< 0.6 g/dL	> 0.6 g/dL
Pleural fluid LDH	< 2/3 ULN serum LDH	> 2/3 ULN serum LDH
Pleural: Serum albumin1	< 0.6 g/dL	> 0.6 g/dL

¹Adjunct criteria proposed by Bielsa et al[18].

Light’s criteria, as adapted from the British Thoracic Guideline for Thoracic Disease[19]. Pleural fluid is considered an exudate if at least one of the above criteria is met. LDH: Lactate dehydrogenase; ULN: Upper limit of normal.