Evaluation of Fluid Overload by Bioelectrical Impedance Vectorial Analysis

Summary

In this study, we demonstrate how to evaluate the presence of fluid overload through bioelectrical impedance vectorial analysis (BIVA) and the impedance ratio measured using tetrapolar multi-frequency equipment in patients admitted to the emergency department. BIVA and impedance ratio are reliable and useful tools to predict poor outcomes.

Abstract

Early detection and management of fluid overload are critically important in acute illness, as the impact of therapeutic intervention can result in decreased or increased mortality rates. Accurate fluid status assessment entails appropriate therapy. Unfortunately, as the gold standard method of radioisotopic fluid measurement is costly, time-consuming, and lacks sensitivity in the acute care clinical setting, other less-accurate methods are typically used, such as clinical examination or 24 h output. Bioelectrical impedance vectorial analysis (BIVA) is an alternative impedance-based approach, where the raw parameter resistance and reactance of a subject are plotted to produce a vector, the position of which can be evaluated relative to tolerance intervals in an R-Xc graph. The fluid status is then interpreted as normal or abnormal, based on the distance from the mean vector derived from a healthy reference population. The objective of the present study is to demonstrate how to evaluate the presence of fluid overload through bioelectrical impedance vectorial analysis and the impedance ratio measured with tetrapolar multi-frequency equipment in patients admitted to the emergency department.

Introduction

Fluid overload (FO), defined as an excess of total body fluid or a relative excess in one or more fluid compartments¹, is frequently observed in critically ill patients and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality^1,2,3. The range of alterations in hydration status is wide; can indicate renal, cardiac, or hepatic failure; and/or maybe the result of excessive oral intake or iatrogenic error⁴. Routine assessment of hydration status is challenging in emergency departments, as the gold standard of radioisotopic volume measur....

Protocol

The following protocol was approved (REF. 3057) and follows the guidelines of the human research ethics committee of Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición SZ. Furthermore, prior consent was obtained from the patients for this study.

NOTE: This procedure is to be used for measuring bioelectrical impedance analysis using tetrapolar multi-frequency equipment (see Table of Materials) and will provide accurate resistance and reactance values at a single frequ.......

Discussion

It is important to mention that different bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) approaches have been proposed in the published literature, including the use of multiple frequencies at 1-500 kHz (MF-BIA), phase-sensitive single frequency (SF-BIA) at 50 kHz, and spectroscopic BIA at 5 kHz to 2 MHz. Studies have provided inconsistent results, concerning the agreement regarding single- and multiple-frequency BIA equipment⁶, including source current, frequency, total impedance range over which the cur.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Alcohol 70% swabs	NA	NA	Any brand can be used
BIVA software 2002	NA	NA	Is a sofware created for academic use, can be download in http://www.renalgate.it/formule_calcolatori/bioimpedenza.htm in "LE FORMULE DEL Prof. Piccoli" section
Chlorhexidine Wipes	NA	NA	Any brand can be used
Examination table	NA	NA	Any brand can be used
Leadwires square socket	BodyStat	SQ-WIRES
Long Bodystat 0525 electrodes	BodyStat	BS-EL4000
Quadscan 4000 equipment	BodyStat	BS-4000	Impedance measuring range: 20 - 1300 Ω ohms Test Current: 620 μA Frequency: 5, 50, 100, 200 kHz Accuracy: Impedance 5 kHz: +/- 2 Ω Impedance 50 kHz: +/- 2 Ω Impedance 100 kHz: +/- 3 Ω Impedance 200 kHz: +/- 3 Ω Resistance 50 kHz: +/- 2 Ω Reactance 50 kHz: +/- 1 Ω Phase Angle 50 kHz: +/- 0.2° Calibration: A resistor is supplied for independent verification from time to time. The impedance value should read between 496 and 503 Ω.