Figure 3.

Role of splanchnic circulation in volume distribution of heart failure. The figure describes the distribution of intravascular volume between the splanchnic circulation and effective circulating volume. In compensated heart failure, the splanchnic vasculature remains in a high-capacitance state and can expand to accommodate increased intravascular volume. As sodium and water retention increase and neurohormonal stimulation occurs, splanchnic congestion develops along with decreased splanchnic capacitance, respectively. The overall result is increased effective circulating volume leading to increased preload and decompensated volume status.