Can non-invasive measurements aid clinical assessment of volume in patients with cirrhosis?

Table 3 Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis data in the stable cirrhotic and the acutely decompensated cirrhotic patients

	Compensated	Decompensated
Total body water ICW (L)	39.2 ± 1.9	40.7 ± 1.9
ICW (L)	23.6 ± 1.2	23.9 ± 1.1
ECW (L)	15.7 ± 0.7	16.8 ± 0.8
Total body ECW/TBW	0.399 ± 0.004	0.412 ± 0.003
R arm ECW/TBW	0.385 ± 0.001	0.388 ± 0.002
L arm ECW/TBW	0.386 ± 0.002	0.387 ± 0.003
Trunk ECW/TBW	0.404 ± 0.005	0.420 ± 0.004a
R leg ECW/TBW	0.398 ± 0.003	0.410 ± 0.003a
L leg ECW/TBW	0.399 ± 0.003	0.412 ± 0.003a

Mean extracellular water (ECW)/total body water (TBW) ratio for total body, limb and trunk value in normal healthy humans 0.38 (95% confidence limits 0.36-0.4). Results expressed as mean ± SE,

^aP < 0.05 vs compensated cirrhotic group. ICW: Intracellular water.