Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is routinely used in peritoneal dialysis patients and might aid fluid status assessment in patients with liver cirrhosis, but the effect of ascites volume removal on BISreadings is unknown. Here we determined changes in BIS-derived parameters and clinical signs of fluid overload from before to after abdominal paracentesis. Per our pre-specified sample size calculation, we studied 31 cirrhotic patients, analyzing demographics, labs and clinical parameters along with BIS results. Mean volume of the abdominal paracentesis was 7.8 ± 2.6 L. From pre-to post-paracentesis, extracellular volume (ECV) decreased (20.2 ± 5.2 L to 19.0 ± 4.8 L), total body volume decreased (39.8 ± 9.8 L to 37.8 ± 8.5 L) and adipose tissue mass decreased (38.4 ± 16.0 kg to 29.9 ± 12.9 kg; all p < 0.002). Correlation of BIS-derived parameters from pre to post-paracentesis ranged from R² = 0.26 for body cell mass to R² = 0.99 for ECV. Edema did not correlate with BIS-derived fluid overload (fo ≥ 15% ECV), which occurred in 16 patients (51.6%). In conclusion, BIS-derived information on fluid status did not coincide with clinical judgement. The changes in adipose tissue mass support the BIS-model assumption that fluid in the peritoneal cavity is not detectable, suggesting that ascites (or peritoneal dialysis fluid) mass should be subtracted from adipose tissue if BIS is used in patients with a full peritoneal cavity.Liver cirrhosis impairs both the splanchnic and the systemic circulation resulting in a "hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome" 1-3 . Portal hypertension causes vasodilation in the splanchnic circulation, and thereby ascites and hepatorenal syndrome 1,4 . Adaption mechanisms to portal hypertension in the systemic circulation can lead to decreased systemic vascular resistance, decreased arterial blood pressure and increased cardiac output and heart rate, potentially triggering cardiomyopathy 1,2,4-6 . Optimizing fluid volume therefore is crucial in treating patients with liver cirrhosis.The clinical evaluation of the fluid status of patients with liver cirrhosis is challenging. Intravascular volume depletion can coexist with edema and ascites, so that the application of diuretics aimed at diminishing edema or ascites can lead to additional intravascular volume depletion and kidney injury. Application of parenteral fluid can potentially worsen ascites, pleural effusion or heart failure 7-9 .