ASAIO journal : a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
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In hemodialysis patients, volume homeostasis is an important clinical problem. The aim is to have patients at an ideal "dry weight" postdialysis, but current methods for accurately measuring dry weight are disappointing. Krivitski et al. (ASAIO J 1998;44:M535-M540) have described a novel technique whereby extravascular lung water (EVLW) may be measured using blood ultrasound velocity and electrical impedance dilution. ⋯ The normalized EVLW values are almost identical to those obtained in animals (3.1+/-1.4 ml/kg) by Krivitski et al. (see above). We conclude that this new technique can conveniently and noninvasively give an estimate of EVLW in hemodialysis patients. The clinical value of this measurement has now to be determined.