Weigh the patient before each ECP treatment hour in his/her treatment pants to minimize differences due to different clothing. Change in body weight is a very reliable alert to changes in fluid status. An increase in weight greater than two pounds over night or four pounds in a week may indicate exacerbation of heart failure, as would a five pound change in weight from the pre-treatment baseline. It’s best to hold treatment and notify the physician of the changes. ECP therapy can be administered once the physician has examined the patient and the clinical status is deemed stable. Rapid, shortened breaths or a wet cough may also be indicative that the patient is experiencing fluid overload. Do not begin ECP therapy; notify the physician, place the patient in a high sitting position, and monitor the patient’s oxygen saturation level.
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