The measurement of total "sodium space" and total body sodium in normal individuals and in patients with cardiac edema

Total sodium space and total body sodium contents were determined in four groups of individuals with the aid of radiosodium 24 . There appears to be an increase in these values with age, but the presence of well compensated cardiovascular disease in the older age group does not significantly alter the magnitude of these measurements. When congestive failure with edema occurs, there is a marked increase in total sodium space and total body sodium. The increase in total sodium space shows a good correlation with the clinical degree of edema.