Blood volume is the volume of blood (both red blood cells and plasma) in a person's circulatory system. A typical adult has a blood volume of approximately between 4.7 and 5 litres, with females generally having less blood volume than males. ^[1]. Blood volume is regulated by the kidneys.

Blood volume (BV) can be calculated given the hematocrit (HC; the fraction of blood that is red blood cells) and plasma volume (PV):

Diagnostic technologies are commercially available to measure human blood volume. A recent radionucleotide study called BVA-100, Blood Volume Analysis is the only FDA approved instrument that provides a measure of Red Blood Cells and Plasma with 98% accuracy.

Blood volume measurement is indicated for the diagnosis and treatment patients suffering from Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Hypertension, Renal Failure and Critical Care.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• http://www.bva100.com
• http://www.cvphysiology.com/Blood%20Pressure/BP025.htm

[edit] See also

• Volume status
• Hypovolemia
• Hypervolemia

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