Transcapillary colloid osmotic gradient and body fluid volumes in renal failure

The aim was to study the transcapillary fluid balance in dialysis patients during and after ultrafiltration. Plasma and subcutaneous interstitial fluid (wick technique) colloid osmotic pressure, plasma volume (I125-albumin space) and extracellular fluid volume (radiosulfate space) were measured in nine patients on maintenance hemodialysis before (pre-dialysis state) and after (dry-weight state) ultrafiltration. In the pre-dialysis state, interstitial colloid osmotic pressure was reduced compared to normal controls (12.7 +/- 3.5 versus 15.8 +/- 2.7 mmHg, mean values +/- SD) and transcapillary colloid osmotic gradient increased (15.3 +/- 3.0 versus 12.8 +/- 2.7 mmHg). Ultrafiltration resulted in a parallel decrease of plasma volume and interstitial fluid volume of 19 to 20%, and an increase in mean interstitial colloid osmotic pressure of 3.4 mmHg and in mean transcapillary colloid osmotic gradient of 1.9 mmHg. The mean ultrafiltration rate was 21.9 +/- 1.9 ml/min and the plasma refilling rate was 16.5 +/- 2.7 ml/min. It is concluded that the changes in plasma and interstitial fluid colloid osmotic pressure tend to preserve plasma volume and limit the interdialytic increase in interstitial fluid volume.