About ECA
Welcome to the Egyptian Club of Ascites
ECA is an experienced multidisciplinary team that has been founded in 2016. This team is representing nearly all national universities and aiming to unify the guidelines regarding diagnosis and management of ascites.
Established with the vision of addressing the growing burden of liver disease in Egypt, the ECA serves as a collaborative platform for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, internists, and allied healthcare professionals.
The story started with the establishment of Ascites Study Group (ASG) in the Tropical Medicine Department, Ain Shams University in March 2012.
Ascites Study Group (ASG) is a special interest group. It is a collaboration between the Tropical Medicine Department and many other departments (Radiology, Surgery, Medical Oncology, Pathology, Chest, Cardiology, Gynecology) – Ain Shams University.
Ascites Study Group (ASG) Members
Tropical Medicine Department, Ain Shams University
President of ASG: Prof. Nadia Abdelaaty
- Prof. Ahmed Samir
- Prof. Ahmed Fouad
- Dr. Ahmed Nagah
- Dr. Amira Elramah
- Dr. Amr Alaa
- Dr. Aya Sami
- Dr. Bassam Bahady
Dr. Enass Soliman
- Dr. Esraa Hassan
- Dr. Ibrahim Hindy
- Dr. Mahmoud Farag
- Dr. Mohamed Abuzaid
- Dr. Safia Ramdan
- Dr. Shaimaa Farah
- Dr. Waleed Amer
- Dr. Zakaria Hamadallah
Other Specialties of Multidisciplinary Team
Prof. Amr Hefny: Surgery – Ain Shams University
Prof. Eman Hafez: Rheumatology – Ain Shams University
Prof. Essam Abdelwahed: Hematology – Ain Shams University
Prof. Ghada El Shahid: Cardiology – Ain Shams University
Prof. Hesham El Akkad: Surgery – Ain Shams University
Prof. Hesham El Wakeel: Oncology – Ain Shams University
Prof. Magdy El Sharkawy: Nephrology – Ain Shams University
Prof. Mohamed El Gharib: Intervention Radiology – Ain Shams University
Prof. Mohamed Shaker: Intervention Radiology – Ain Shams University
Prof. Nehad Mohamed: Chest – Ain Shams University
Prof. Salah Taha: Gynecology – Ain Shams University
ASG Objectives
To search for the etiology of ascites in problematic cases and initiate simple but practical and cost effective diagnostic algorithms.
To confirm the diagnosis and to offer the best available and optimum treatment.
To establish the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of the disease
To highlight different aspects and long term complications of ascites (in relation to other medical specialties).
To establish an ascites referral center for consultations, management, training of physicians and research work.
ASG protocol
Comprehensive Approach to Ascites Management
The ASG developed a comprehensive protocol to standardize the approach to ascites management
- A specific clinical sheet was formulated
- A special database computer program was designed for data collection, storage and analysis.
- An algorithm was developed by the group for the diagnostic workup and management of the patients.
- Newly discovered and follow up-patients are evaluated & managed by group members according to the protocol.
In 2016, with the rising number of cases in the group we decided to expand our activity all over Egypt.
This goal was attained by creating a group that includes colleagues from different Egyptian governments.
Egyptian Club of Ascites (ECA) started its first annual conference in 2017.
ECA Steering Board
The ECA is guided by a distinguished steering board of experts from various universities across Egypt.
ECA Steering Board
The ECA is guided by a distinguished steering board of experts from various universities across Egypt.
Prof. Amgad Elzahaby
Al-Azhar University
Prof. Hussein Alamin
Assiut University
Prof. Hussein Okasha
Cairo University
Prof. Mohamad Amin Sakr
Ain Shams University (ASU)
Prof. Nadia Abdelaaty
Ain Shams University & Founder of ECA
Prof. Nadia Elwan
Tanta University
Prof. Waleed Ahmady
Zagazig University
Prof. Yasser Fouad
El-Menia University
ECA Commitment
Educational Value
ECA is committed to deliver specific educational value for all audiences at which the most critical medical topics for the Egyptian ascetic patient are discussed deeply and how to deal with them. ECA conferences provide a unique opportunity to offer experts’ knowledge & experiences to all the audience.
Standard of Care
By facilitating ongoing professional development and encouraging collaboration across institutions, the club plays a vital role in raising the standard of care for patients with chronic liver disease throughout the country. Its influence continues to grow as it shapes both policy and practice in hepatology and gastrointestinal medicine.
Research & Innovation
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Cirrhotic Patients: Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells (TREM-1) as a Valid Marker
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346617635_Spontaneous_Bacterial_Peritonitis_in_Cirrhotic_Patients_Triggering_Receptor_Expressed_on_Myeloid_Cells_TREM-1_as_a_Valid_Marker
Evaluation of Imaging-Guided Peritoneal Biopsy in Diagnosis of Ascites of Undetermined Origin
https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/114/Supplement_1/hcab107.009/6379180?login=false
* Hemorrhagic ascites endometriosis could be a cause: a case report
https://ejim.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43162-021-00077-6
OS-038-YI Real-world practice patterns on the use of terlipressin in patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury-results from the ICA-GLOBAL AKI study
TOP-064-YI Impact of bacterial infections on kidney function and survival in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and acute kidney injury worldwide-analysis of the ICA-GLOBAL AKI study
Global epidemiology of acute kidney injury in hospitalised patients with decompensated cirrhosis: the International Club of Ascites GLOBAL AKI prospective, multicentre, cohort study
International Collaborations
An algorithmic approach for evaluation of a patient with ascites was created by the group in 2018 and has been published.
Collaboration with esteemed scientific societies has been achieved by ECA endorsement with International Club of Ascites (ICA) in 2022. Then ECA was endorsed by the Society on Liver Disease in Africa (SOLDA) in 2025.
Join Our Community
Connect with a network of medical professionals dedicated to advancing ascites management and improving patient outcomes.