A correct blood volume in humans is essential for among others maintaining blood pressure within a normal range. Non-pathological changes in blood volumes may occur with for example exercise training whereas pathological changes may develop with numerous diseases.

 

 

Blood volumes and sport performance

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Olympic endurance athletes may display blood volumes that are nearly double that of normal humans (i.e. up to 10 liters as compared to the standard value of 5 liters), and there is no doubt that this is the main attribute to their also high exercise capacities. Exercise training increases blood volume and stands out as the fundamental attribute to any increase in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). This is among others demonstrated by the reversal of exercise training induced gains in VO2max when blood volume is returned to pre training levels by means of blood donation. Blood volumes may also be increased with altitude exposure, heat training and other training interventions. The OpCO can be used to track such changes.

 

At DETALO INSTRUMENTS we are keen on collaborating with researchers pushing the field of physiology and are happy to discuss the possibilities for our potential involvement.

 

 

Clinical importance of normal blood volumes

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There are numerous instances when the determination of blood volumes may be highly relevant in patient populations. Hypervolemia is one of the main complications associated with heart- and chronic kidney failure. Compared to conventional therapy blood volume guided treatment in heart failure patients is documented to reduce mortality significantly. Likewise the direct assessment of blood volumes in chronic kidney failure patients allows for the correct assessment of their anemia which may be overestimated in

~50% of individuals when based on haemoglobin concentration alone. Direct determination of blood volumes may furthermore allow for an exact and personalized dialysis therapy, which with conventional estimates is associated with a high mortality rate.

 

As for the above physiological oriented use of the OpCO we are very keen on collaborating on clinical research questions and welcome enquiries about such.