Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart's ability to pump blood is inadequate to meet the many demands of the body. Fluid building up in the lungs can leak into the abdominal cavity and cause ascites. Pancreatic disorders cause fluid retention as a result of inflammation. This also develops into ascites and can lead to malnourishment as well. Meigs' syndrome causes a benign ovarian tumor associated with ascites and excess fluid in the lungs.

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