In The Know: Turning Our Eyes From the Truth

As clinicians managing volume derangements, we often focus on clinical symptoms like shortness of breath and edema. We assess using indirect methods—jugular venous pressure, weight change, BNP—but these are shadows of the real issue: the intravascular volume. To rely on assessing volume alone without measuring is to turn our eyes away from the truth.

In diabetes or hypertension, we use objective measurements like blood sugar or blood pressure to guide treatment. Heart failure is no different; blood volume analysis (BVA) provides 98% accurate, objective measurement of total blood and red cell volume giving you actionable information you need to achieve optimal fluid management. Yet, many of us ignore or underutilize this technology, clinging instead to clinical intuition or surrogate markers.

It's time to embrace the truth. BVA allows us to treat the root cause, not just the symptoms, ensuring better outcomes for our patients. We must shift from guesswork to precision and make the most of the tools available to us.?