Watch a Blood Volume Measurement

A blood volume test is a procedure used to determine the total volume of blood within the human body.

Become familiar  with the complete test procedures by starting the video on this page.

The test was performed in September 2021 on a healthy volunteer participating in a clinical trial. The measurement was completed in less than 15 minutes from the time that the volunteer was placed in the supine position and until blood volume results were ready at hand.

1. Test subject is placed in a supine position

The supine position is known to help the vascular mixing of CO in the bloodstream.

2. Patient information is entered into PC Software

Patient age, height, and weight are entered to help identify the correct CO dose.

3. Pre-test blood samples are obtained

The test can be done using capillary, venous, or arterial blood.

4. One minute of oxygen breathing is performed

Oxygen breathing ensures that the blood is fully saturated with O2 before the test.

5. Rebreathing is activated and CO is released

The rebreathing of CO is performed in a closed system in which oxygen is administrated if needed.

6. Rebreathing completed after 6 minutes

Various rebreathing times exist between 2 and 10 minutes. We recommend 6 minutes.

7. Post-test blood samples are obtained after 10 minutes from rebreathing start

The last blood samples are obtained and analyzed in blood gas analyser. The patient is done.

8. Results are obtained

As soon as the pre- and post-test blood samples have been analysed, the measurement results are available in the PC software.