WATER DISTRIBUTION IN NORMAL SUBJECTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH LAËNNEC'S CIRRHOSIS

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Abstract
Distr. of body water is studied by dilution methods using T-1824 (Evans Blue) to estimate plasma volume, radioactive Na to estimate extracellular space and deuterium oxide to measure total body water in 22 control subjects and 15 patients with Laennec''s cirrhosis. The latter condition is characterized by a significant increase in the plasma volume and in the Na space even when there is no clinically apparent ascites. There is an apparent increase in the deuterium oxide space. Except when a large amt. of ascitic fluid is present equilibration of Na24 into the Na space occurs within 3 hours. Evidence is given that changes in the extracellular space can be followed by measurement of the Na space in spite of the fact that the latter includes an intracellular component.