Serial Measurement of Vital Capacity in Patients on Chronic Haemodialysis

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Abstract
Serial measurements of vital capacity (VC) were performed on nine patients on chronic haemodialysis. In six patients the VC remained stable, they were all adequately dialysed and working full-time. Reduction of dialysis time in one of these patients brought about a gradual onset of left heart failure which was preceeded by a decline of VC. In the three remaining patients a decrease of VC preceeded the onset of heart failure, and a rise of VC values signified improvement of cardiac performance. Serial recordings of VC are recommended as a useful objective guide to evaluation and treatment of patients on haemodialysis.