Abnormality of digestive system physiology Elevated serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) 2024-07-01T09:06:35Z Abnormally high serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) An elevation of the serum ascites albumin gradient (SAAG), which is based on the difference between the albumin level of serum and of ascitic fluid, may be used to assess the extent of ascites. The SAAG is thought to reflect the colloid osmotic pressure gradient and the degree of portal hypertension. It has been shown that SAAG is a better discriminator of portal hypertension than ascites. A SAAG of 1.1 gm/dL or higher is considered as high, indicating the presence of portal hypertension, while SAAG less than 1.1 gm/dL is low, indicating the absence of portal hypertension.