Cardiovascular Dynamics, Blood Volumes, Renal Functions and Electrolyte Excretions in the Same Patients during Congestive Heart Failure and after Recovery of Cardiac Compensation

Abstract

Largely on the basis of acute observations in cardiac patients during congestive heart failure and in noncardiac control subjects, two assumptions have been made: (a) that congestive heart failure develops as cardiovascular and renal functions change from the type found in the control subjects to the type found in decompensated cardiac patients, and (b) that a return to, or toward, the normal occurs in these functions as cardiac compensation is regained. That these assumptions are not necessarily valid is indicated by the herein reported simultaneous measurements of cardiovascular dynamics, renal functions, blood volumes and electrolyte excretions in eight patients during cardiac decompensation and after recovery of compensation.