Bioelectrical impedance analysis: clinical tool in assessing total body water and thoracic fluid.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis forms a non-invasive tool for detection of body fluids. Total body measurement gives total body water (TBW) and, in case of multi-frequency analysis, of intra- and extracellular fluid volume. The thoracic approach measures thoracic fluid (TF). The set-up of both techniques is discussed. An overview is given of the clinical usefulness of the total body technique to monitor fluid changes and the process of refill during hemodialysis and to detect dry weight. The simultaneous measurement of TBW and TF was applied to obtain a more detailed picture of the body fluids. In a group of healthy subjects the age dependency of both variables was shown. During hemodialyss TBW and TF showed a major and comparable decrease. Fluid retention during cardiac surgery led to a slightly more pronounced increase of TF than of TBW. The combination of both impedance techniques offers clinicians a means to monitor alterations in fluid status in patients in more detail.