TOTAL RED CELL VOLUME, PLASMA VOLUME, AND SODIUM SPACE IN CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE 1

Abstract
The blood volume has been detd. with P32-labeled red blood cells in 27 patients in congestive failure. Twelve had normal blood volume, total red cell volume and plasma volume, and 15 had either an elevated blood volume, total red cell volume, or plasma volume. In 5 of 6 instances studied, the blood volume increased when compensation occurred. In the 6th patient, blood volume decreased with return of compensation. Serum Na concn. did not change markedly during heart failure, but total body Na rose to a marked degree.