Miller WL, Sorimachi H, Grill DE, et al. - Researchers investigated the extent to which measures of myocardial function as well as of intravascular volume correlate with hemodynamic abnormalities in chronic heart failure (HF). Participants were asked to undergo invasive hemodynamic evaluation, measurement of total blood volume (TBV), and echocardiography to determine cardiac structure as well as function. Two groups of patients were defined: those with hypervolemia (defined as TBV > +8% above referenced normal volume) and normal volume (“euvolemia”) (TBV ≤ +8%). Findings revealed elevations in filling pressures in hypervolemic patients although normal pressures were detected in a substantial proportion (15%), and normal TBVs were identified in ~1/3 of all participants with increased filling pressures. Notably, elevated filling pressures were detected in a majority (>60%) of patients with normal volumes. Experts suggest that integrated analysis of volume, pressure, and cardiac function may aid in guiding comprehensive evaluations of HF status.