AFP and Ascites: Lab-wise, cardiac ascites exhibit a characteristic pattern in its laboratory parameters, being an exudate, according to the past ascites classifications, but one with a high serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG).[10] As both cardiac and cirrhotic ascites are high-SAAG fluids, Runyon et al[2] suggested using alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) of >2.5 g/dL to differentiate the 2 conditions, which has been validated by multiple studies.[11,12] In the case of ascites from cirrhosis, the total protein is < 2.5 g/dL (<25 g/L), whereas in cardiac ascites, it is ≥ 2.5 g/dL (≥25 g/L).