Fluid therapy in the cardiac patient.

Correcting fluid deficits and preventing fluid overload in patients with cardiac disease can be challenging. The purpose of the fluid therapy, the projected duration of the therapy, and the type of heart disease affecting the patient play important roles in the decision-making process. In addition, the distinction between patients who are not symptomatic (NYHA Class I) and those who are symptomatic (NYHA Classes II to IV) for their cardiac disease should be made early in fluid therapy planning.