Fluid management for hemodialysis

Chronic volume overload is a common condition among patients with ESRD and is directly associated with hypertension, increased arterial stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). It is ultimately one of the key factors contributing to the high CVD related morbidity and mortality amongst these patients. Vice versa, it was demonstrated that achieving normohydration through effective Fluid Management therapy is associated with better outcome of HD patients¹.  The BCM - Body Composition Monitor is the core component of the Advanced Fluid Management therapy programme of Fresenius Medical Care. It measures and quantifies the patient’s fluid status and provides a reliable decision basis for effective fluid and nutritional management.

The BCM, utilizing advanced bioimpedance technology, has been shown to be an important tool in helping to provide both objective and reliable information needed in determination of dry weight. This has the potential to help in limiting the repetitive cycle involved in the probing process and, thus possibly reduce chances of hypotensive events that may lead to cardiovascular issues.

“No heart attacks were observed and no emergency dialysis occurred, and the number of intra-dialytic complications such as hypotension were reduced with the assistance of the BCM in the assessment of fluid status in a group of HD patients².”

“Volume control guided by objective assessment of fluid overload (with the BCM) showed significant decrease in left ventricular mass and improved BP control³.”

“Assessment of fluid overload with bioimpedance spectroscopy (BCM) provides better management of fluid status, which leads to significant improvement in the cardiovascular status of HD patients – Hur, et al³.”

In dialysis patients, fluid overload is associated with acute complications including congestive heart failure and pulmonary oedema. Fluid overload can require emergency dialysis outside of the routine dialysis sessions. These additional treatments are common and expensive. In an US investigation, the total cost in the study period of two years was approximately $266 million⁴.

BCM - Body Composition Monitor

From technology to therapy

Body weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) do not differentiate between muscle, fat and water. In addition, body composition is often described in terms of fat free mass (FFM) and fat mass (Fat) only, not considering over-hydration.

The BCM – Body Composition Monitor is the first device on the market to distinguish the muscle mass from pathologic fluid overload. This is of special interest for detecting malnutrition in chronic kidney disease patients.  The BCM - Body Composition Monitor separates excess fluid (over-hydration) from the lean and adipose tissue components of the body on the basis of a unique body composition model.  

Learn more about the Body Composition Monitor

BCM – Utilizing cutting-edge bioimpedance technology

For CKD patients

Including Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) and Hemodialysis (HD)

Captures trending information

For better ongoing patient management

Potentially shortens the initial trial-and-error phase

In determining the optimal dry weight in incident dialysis patients