Method for detecting intravascular volume depletion during a hemodialysis session

A method of detecting intravascular volume depletion in a patient during a hemodialysis session, the method comprising:

• measuring venous drip pressure for the patient;
• with a computer-driven analyzer, analyzing the venous drip pressure and automatically and continuously determining a venous access pressure in proximity to a location of needle insertion into a vascular access site of the patient, wherein changes in venous access pressure are representative of changes in intravascular blood pressure;
• repeating the measuring, analyzing and determining steps to determine a plurality of venous access pressure values and calculate a moving average of venous access pressures;
• using the analyzer, comparing the moving average of venous access pressures to a standard;
• and
• if the moving average of venous access pressures is outside of a defined range of the standard, determining with the analyzer that the patient is experiencing intravascular volume depletion during the hemodialysis session.

A method of detecting intravascular volume depletion in a patient during a hemodialysis session, the method comprising:

• measuring venous drip pressure for the patient;
• with a computer-driven analyzer, analyzing the venous drip pressure and automatically and continuously determining a venous access pressure in proximity to a location of needle insertion into a vascular access site of the patient, wherein changes in venous access pressure are representative of changes in intravascular blood pressure;
• using the analyzer, comparing the venous access pressure to an initial, baseline value determined for the venous access pressure at a starting point of the hemodialysis session;
• and
• if the venous access pressure decreases by at least 50% below the baseline value, determining with the analyzer that the patient is experiencing intravascular volume depletion during the hemodialysis session.

A method of detecting intravascular volume depletion in a patient during a hemodialysis session, the method comprising:

• measuring venous drip pressure for the patient;
• with a computer-driven analyzer, analyzing the venous drip pressure and automatically and continuously determining a venous access pressure in proximity to a location of needle insertion into a vascular access site of the patient, wherein the venous drip pressure and the venous access pressure are related by a constant, wherein changes in venous access pressure are representative of changes in intravascular blood pressure;
• using the analyzer, comparing the venous access pressure or the related venous drip chamber to a standard;
• and
• if the venous access pressure or the venous drip chamber is outside of a defined range of the standard, determining with the analyzer that the patient is experiencing intravascular volume depletion during the hemodialysis session.