ABSOLUTE BLOOD VOLUME MEASUREMENT USING ULTRAFILTRATION PULSING

摘要

The importance of absolute blood volume in hemodialysis patients is illustrated, the acute physiologic mechanisms involved in the preservation of adequate circulation during ultrafiltration are summarized, and the reasons why hemodialysis patients are often particularly vulnerable to reductions in blood volume are outlined. The shortcomings of relative blood volume measurements are also discussed, and a case is made for the superiority of absolute blood volume measurements. A mathematical concept is introduced that allows relative blood volume devices to be used for the estimation of absolute blood volume. Finally, the implications of absolute blood volume beyond intradialytic hypotension are discussed and a paradigm shift in the approach to dry weight attainment is proposed.