The Optimal Plasma Volume Status in Heart Failure in Relation to Clinical Outcome

Plasma volume expansion is a hallmark of the heart failure syndrome and contributes to the development of congestion (ie, an increase in filling pressures).1 Unrestrained chronic neurohormonal activation in heart failure induces a situation of plasma volume expansion.2 If the subsequent plasma volume expansion overwhelms the decreasing venous capacitance as a result of increased neurohumoral activation, an increase in filling pressures ensues with progressive deterioration to acute heart failure.
Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Clinical Investigation Source Type: research