These recommendations provide a data-supported approach. They are based on the following: (1) formal review and analysis of the recently published world literature on the topic (Medline search); (2) the American College of Physicians’ Manual for Assessing Health Practices and Designing Practice Guidelines; (3) policy guidelines, including the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases’ Policy Statement on Development and Use of Practice Guidelines and the American Gastroenterological Association’s Policy Statement on the Use of Medical Practice Guidelines; and (4) the author’s 22 years of experience in the clinical and laboratory investigation of, and care of patients with, this problem, including 7 years’ experience in a liver unit in which approximately 60% of patients have ascites.