FAQ'S
Why is maintaining a normal blood volume so important?
Maintaining normal blood volume or “euvolemia” is critical to ensuring vital organs are adequately perfused or properly oxygenated. Levels of total blood volume as well as the primary components of blood, plasma and red blood cells, can be too high or too low vary in a broad range of acute and chronic medical conditions, including congestive heart failure, blood loss due to trauma or surgical procedures, hypertension, renal failure, syncope, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Measuring blood volume accurately and directly enables more precise diagnosis and treatment of blood volume and red blood cell abnormalities.
How does the BVA work?
The BVA Blood Volume Analyzer quantifies circulating blood volume utilizing the gold standard methodology, the indicator tracer dilution technique. A dose of Volumex® Albumin I-131 tracer is injected intravascularly. Once the tracer has fully circulated in the bloodstream, a series of small blood samples are drawn. The BVA automatically calculates patient blood volume by comparing the concentration of undiluted tracer prior to injection to the tracer concentration diluted in the patient blood samples.
How are BVA results reported?
The BVA utilizes patient height, weight, gender, measured tracer counts and measured hematocrits to automatically generate a detailed blood volume report. The report includes three basic volume parameters: Total Blood Volume (TBV), Red Blood Cell Volume (RBCV), and Plasma Volume (PV). Each parameter is expressed in milliliters (mL) and as a percent excess/deficit versus the calculated patient ideal values to determine whether the patient has a normal blood volume (euvolemic), depleted blood volume (hypovolemic), or expanded blood volume (hypervolemic).
Where is the test performed?
Blood is drawn by the patient’s bedside through a single venipuncture and the samples are typically sent to the nuclear medicine laboratory for analysis.
Is any special patient preparation required?
No special patient preparation is required.
Does the test result in any significant radiation exposure?
No, the test exposes you to a very low amount of radiation (less than 100 mrem), which is comparable to the natural background radiation you absorb over the course of a year and significantly less than the exposure from a CT scan.
Have there been any reported allergic reactions to the Albumin I-131?
No allergic reactions have been reported.
Is the BVA test reimbursed?
Yes, there are specific Medicare codes. Most insurance providers reimburse for the BVA test.
Important Safety Information
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The data provided by the BVA is to assist qualified healthcare professionals in patient diagnosis and management. The uses and benefits of the BVA test described on this website are based on scientific literature and clinical experience. However, individual patient outcomes may vary. This website is not intended to promote any off-label uses of the BVA device. Decisions regarding the use of the BVA test and the interpretation of its results must be made by a qualified healthcare professional. Daxor is not responsible for any actions or decisions taken based on the information provided on this website.
BVA™ and Volumex® Indication and Important Risk Information
Indications and Intended Use
The Daxor BVA is an automated system that is used to measure/calculate the red cell mass (mL), plasma volume (mL) and total blood volume (mL), along with the related deviations from ideal values by amount (mL) and percentage (%) in adults. In addition, the Normalized Hematocrit (%) and Albumin Transudation Rate (%/min) are calculated.
It is an in vitro medical device composed of a microprocessor, software, touchscreen, and gamma counter and accessory convenience kit. The Daxor BVA is intended to calculate human blood volumes by the method of tracer diffusion (Indicator dilution technique) with I-131 as the tracer after injection of I-131 Human Serum Albumin.
The Daxor BVA provides a Quantitative Assessment of total blood and plasma volumes using an automated system.
Data inputs to the software come from the measured characteristics of patient venous whole blood samples collected in K3EDTA vacutainer tubes (hematocrit and tracer concentration) and tracer calibration standards. The patient blood samples and the calibration standards are measured in a gamma counter, whose output is automatically input to this calculation program. The package also calculates the patient expected (or ideal) blood volume from physical parameters. Hyper- or hypovolemia, and associated red cell volumes are reported, with statistics showing the quality of the results.
For in vitro diagnostic use in a Clinical Laboratory setting and operated by laboratory technicians. Rx use only.
Contraindications and Clinical Postponement
Volumex is contraindicated for use in pregnant women. Furthermore, safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric or nursing patients. While there are otherwise no known contraindications for Volumex, the procedure should be deferred if the patient is unwilling to consent, if reliable venous access cannot be established, or if the patient is clinically unstable (e.g., experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath) unless under direct physician oversight.
Safety Precautions and Radiation Management
Minimize radiation exposure for patients and workers; radiopharmaceuticals must only be handled by qualified, licensed handlers. Lugol’s Solution may be administered starting 24 hours pre-injection to protect the thyroid. Keep the BVA at least 3 meters from interference sources like MRI or electrosurgical equipment.
Potential Adverse Events
Potential risks include theoretical allergic reactions and injection site infiltration; the total weekly dosage must not exceed 200 microcuries. Ensure accurate, current height and weight are used for “ideal” volume calculations.
Device and Material Caution
Visually inspect Volumex; discard if particulates are present or if coloration is darker than very pale yellow. Total weekly dosage must not exceed 200 microcuries. Accurate patient height and weight measurements are required to calculate “ideal” volumes; do not use patient history. Clean the unit enclosure with mild detergent or 10% bleach, but never use alcohol on the screen.
Disposal Procedures
Dispose of empty Volumex syringes in an appropriate sharps container after assaying. Blood samples and cartridges may be discarded as standard medical waste in a biohazard container.