[Body water compartments of patients with chronic heart failure and the refractory edema syndrome].

Using modern methods of investigation body water spaces were studied in 44 persons: 12 healthy ones and 32 patients with various degrees of heart failure. Significant changes in the content and distribution of water with regard to a degree of decompensation were revealed. Dilatation of the volume of extracellular fluid (VEF) was observed in patients with noticeable peripheral edemas as a result of an increase in the volume of circulating plasma (VCP) and an increase in the volume of interstitial fluid (VIF). A considerable increase in the total body water (TBW), VEF and vascular and interstitial portions were noted in the patients with stage IIB-IIIA heart failure in the presence of ascites. The division of the patients into 2 subgroups with relation to the results of subsequent dehydration therapy (22 patients were given diuretic therapy, in the other 10 patients it was supplemented with isolated ultrafiltration due to the refractory edematous syndrome) revealed distinct difference in the basal state of water spaces which manifested itself in a significant increase in VEF and VCP in patients with the refractory edematous syndrome. Thus a study of body water spaces in patients with chronic heart failure was important for the definition of groups of patients with resistance to diuretic therapy. A study of the time course of these parameters under the influence of various dehydration methods is of great interest. A special paper devoted to the problem, will be prepared by the authors.