Bioimpedance-guided fluid management in hemodialysis patients.
OBJECTIVE
Achieving and maintaining optimal fluid status remains a major challenge in hemodialysis therapy. The aim of this interventional study was to assess the feasibility and clinical consequences of active fluid management guided by bioimpedance spectroscopy in chronic hemodialysis patients.


METHODS
Fluid status was optimized prospectively in 55 chronic hemodialysis patients over 3 months (November 2011 to February 2012). Predialysis fluid overload was measured weekly using the Fresenius Body Composition Monitor. Time-averaged fluid overload was calculated as the average between pre- and postdialysis fluid overload. The study aimed to bring the time-averaged fluid overload of all patients into a target range of 0.5 ± 0.75 L within the first month and maintain optimal fluid status until study end. Postweight was adjusted weekly according to a predefined protocol.


RESULTS
Time-averaged fluid overload in the complete study cohort was 0.9 ± 1.6 L at baseline and 0.6 ± 1.1 L at study end. Time-averaged fluid overload decreased by -1.20 ± 1.32 L (P<0.01) in the fluid-overloaded group (n=17), remained unchanged in the normovolemic group (n=26, P=0.59), and increased by 0.59 ± 0.76 L (P=0.02) in the dehydrated group (n=12). Every 1 L change in fluid overload was accompanied by a 9.9 mmHg/L change in predialysis systolic BP (r=0.55, P<0.001). At study end, 76% of all patients were either on time-averaged fluid overload target or at least closer to target than at study start. The number of intradialytic symptoms did not change significantly in any of the subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
Active fluid management guided by bioimpedance spectroscopy was associated with an improvement in overall fluid status and BP.
Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH, Research and Development, Bad Homburg, Germany. ulrich.moissl@fmc-ag.com
Ulrich
U
Moissl
Marta
M
Arias-Guillén
Peter
P
Wabel
Néstor
N
Fontseré
Montserrat
M
Carrera
José Maria
JM
Campistol
Francisco
F
Maduell
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001810:Blood Volume; D001823:Body Composition; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight; D003681:Dehydration / Q000503:physiopathology; D058266:Dielectric Spectroscopy; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods*; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain