Hypervolemia
Hypervolemia, also known as fluid overload, is the medical condition where there is too much fluid in the blood. The opposite condition is hypovolemia, which is too little fluid volume in the blood. Fluid volume excess in the intravascular compartment occurs due to an increase in total body sodium content and a consequent increase in extracellular body water. The mechanism usually stems from compromised regulatory mechanisms for sodium handling as seen in congestive heart failure, kidney failure, and liver failure. It may also be caused by excessive intake of sodium from foods, intravenous solutions and blood transfusions, medications, or diagnostic contrast dyes. Treatment typically includes administration of diuretics and limit the intake of water, fluids, sodium, and salt.
Signs and symptoms
The excess fluid, primarily salt and water, builds up in various locations in the body and leads to an increase in weight, swelling in the legs and arms, and/or fluid in the abdomen. Eventually, the fluid enters the air spaces in the lungs reduces the amount of oxygen that can enter the blood, leading to anemia and causes shortness of breath or enters pleural space by transudation, which is the best indicator of estimating central venous pressure is increased. It can also cause swelling of the face. Fluid can also collect in the lungs when lying down at night, possibly making nighttime breathing and sleeping difficult.Complications
is the most common result of fluid overload. Also, it may be associated with hyponatremia.Causes
Excessive sodium and/or fluid intake:- IV therapy containing sodium
- As a transfusion reaction to a rapid blood transfusion.
- High intake of sodium
- Heart failure
- Liver cirrhosis
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Corticosteroid therapy
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Low protein intake
- Fluid remobilization after burn treatment
- Administration of hypertonic fluids, e.g. mannitol or hypertonic saline solution
- Administration of plasma proteins, such as albumin
Treatment