Anything Goes? High Time for Smart Blood Volume Monitors
Abstract
In this issue of the ASAIO Journal, Keane et al.1 present the results of their exploratory study on the combined use of whole body bioimpedance (WBB) and relative blood volume (RBV) monitoring in stable hemodialysis (HD) patients. Although both techniques deal with fluid volume (status), they are quite different (Table 1). Whole body bioimpedance measurements with the Body Composition Monitor (BCM) used in this study are usually done predialysis to obtain an equilibrated and absolute value for global fluid overload.2 This information is helpful when setting the required (absolute) ultrafiltration volume on the dialysis machine. For many dialysis caretakers, bioimpedance has revolutionized their way to view fluid overload and target weight prescription,3,4 especially in light of the association between fluid overload and mortality.5–7