Investigating the Dynamics of Supine Fluid Redistribution Within Multiple Body Segments Between Men and Women

Ann Biomed Eng. 2015 Sep;43(9):2131-42. doi: 10.1007/s10439-015-1264-0. Epub 2015 Jan 30.

Abstract

While supine, fluid moves from the legs and accumulates in the chest and neck. However, patterns of rostral fluid shift are not clear. Furthermore, real-time measurement of neck fluid volume has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamics of rostral fluid shift in men and women. We developed a bioelectrical impedance system to measure leg, abdominal, thoracic and neck fluid volumes (LFV, AFV, TFV, NFV) continuously. Forty healthy non-obese adults (20 men) lay supine for 90 min while fluid volumes were measured. After 90 min, a similar volume of fluid shifted out of the legs in both sexes (p = 0.079), but men accumulated more fluid in their thorax (63 ± 6 vs. 44 ± 11 ml, p = 0.016) and neck (17 ± 2 vs. 14 ± 1 ml, p = 0.029) than women. In both sexes, the increase in NFV caused a significant increase in neck circumference, which was greater in men (p = 0.009). Furthermore, 80% of rostral fluid shift would occur in the first 2 h of lying supine. These results suggest that greater fluid shift into the thorax and neck may contribute to the higher prevalence of sleep apnea in men than in women.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Body Fluids*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological*
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Supine Position / physiology*