[Total water content in cardiac patients].

In the present study total body water was determined in a group of cardiac patients, using titriated water. The study was performed in a service of internal medicine of an important hospital in Mexico City. Of the 30 patients originally evaluated, only 23 could be considered cardiacs; of these 47.83% had an excess of water, 39.13% had a normal amount and 13.04% were dehidrated. The patients belonged to both sexes and their ages were anywhere between 14 and 82 years. Very often, other aliments or conditions were present which had a bearing on the total body water. The test is innocuous and the bother to the patient is minimal constituting a valuable auxiliary to the clinician.