Although the fluid therapy plays a fundamental role in the
management of polytrauma patients (PP), a tool which could
determine it appropriately is still lacking. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the application of a bioimpedance spectroscopy
(BIS) for body fluids volume and distribution monitoring in these
patients. This prospective, observational study was performed on
25 severe PP and 25 healthy subjects. The body fluids
composition was repeatedly assessed using BIS between days 3
to 11 of intensive care unit stay while the impact of fluid intake
and balance was evaluated. Fluid intake correlated significantly
with fluid excess (FE) in edemas, and their values were
significantly higher in comparison with the control group. FE was
strongly associated with cumulative fluid balance (p<0.0001,
r=0.719). Furthermore, this parameter was associated with the
entire duration of mechanical ventilation (p=0.001, r=0.791)
independently of injury severity score. In conclusion, BIS
measured FE could be useful in PP who already achieved
negative fluid balance in prevention the risk of repeated
hypovolemia through inappropriate fluid restriction. What is
more, measured FE has a certain prognostic value. Further
studies are required to confirm BIS as a potential instrument for
the improvement of PP outcome.