Causes of transudative ascites: 1  hepatic cirrhosis. 2  alcoholic hepatitis. 3  heart failure (CCF) 4  hypoproteinaemia. portal vein thrombosis.  peritoneal 1  dialysis. malignancy (~10% of refractory ascites) 7, 9 most commonly: breast, ovarian, endometrial, gastrointestinal and pancreatic  7.