ALB and Ascites: In order to detect the cause of his ascites, the serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) was calculated as 1.4 g/dL (≥1.1 g/dL, indicative of portal hypertension), and in the context of total protein of 3.8 g/dL, a cardiac etiology of ascites was considered, given the markedly elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level of over 2,500.