Abstract
Total blood volume and plasma volume were generally increased during cardiac decompensation. A decrease in total volume and plasma volume was observed after recovery. Red cell volume was markedly increased during heart failure in two patients, one of whom had cor pulmonale. With recovery from failure the red cell volume decreased in these two patients. A moderate decrease occurred in three other patients. No marked alteration was noted in the six remaining patients. Red cell survival was normal in eight of eleven patients, slightly decreased in two patients, and definitely decreased in one patient. The fecal excretion of urobilinogen was in the normal range in the six patients so studied. Plasma and red cell iron turnover were normal or increased in patients with heart failure. After cardiac compensation a decrease occurred in all but one of eleven patients. Any decrease in red cell volume observed after cardiac compensation is usually not the result of increased red cell destruction. The decrease may be the result of decreased erythropoiesis.
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