Compositions and methods for measuring and expanding blood volume

Abstract

A method for measuring, adjusting and maintaining the level of blood volume in a patient is described. A blood volume expander composition includes, in combination, a standard unmodified protein, colloid or crystalloid and a fluorescently-labeled protein, colloid or crystalloid of approximately the same molecular weight. The use of blood volume expanders to measure, adjust and maintain the level of blood volume in a patient also is described.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for measuring blood volume in a patient comprising the steps of
 administering a fluorescently-labeled static molecule to the vascular system of a patient, said static molecule having a first excitation wavelength and a first emission wavelength, said static molecule being non-metabolized within the patient,   obtaining a first blood sample from the patient or making a first non-invasive measurement of the blood of the patient after the static molecule has reached a fully distributed steady state concentration in the vascular system, and calculating the initial plasma volume based on the emission level in the sample,   periodically obtaining additional blood samples or non-invasive measurements from the patient,   measuring the blood volume in the patient.   
     
     
         12 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a series of additional blood samples are taken from the patient or a series of additional non-invasive measurements are made. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the additional blood samples are continuously taken through an indwelling venous catheter or the additional non-invasive measurements are continuously made using an optical sensor. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fluorescently-labeled static molecule is a dextran with a molecular weight greater than about 75 kDa. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the fluorescently-labeled static molecule is a dextran with a molecular weight of 150kDa; preferably labeled with 2-SulfhydroRhodamine (2SHR). 
     
     
         19 .- 30 . (canceled)