Effects of Volume Overload and Current Techniques for the Assessment of Fluid Status in Patients with Renal Disease

Abstract

Volume overload is an important, may be the foremost, independent prognostic factor determining the outcome of hemodialysis patients. Therefore, it is crucial to measure fluid status of these patients and avoid volume overload. This review aims to evaluate volume overload, its effects on patients with renal diseases and current methodologies measuring volume status in the body. These techniques will be first classified as clinical evaluation and non-clinical and/or instrumental techniques, which includes biomarkers, ultrasonography, relative blood volume monitoring, bioimpedance, echocardiography, pulmonary artery catheterization, esophageal and/or suprasternal Doppler, and blood viscosity. Advantages and limitations of these different techniques will be reviewed extensively by comparing each other. At last, insights gained from this review can highlight the future prospects in this active area of research.