Clinical evaluation on the simultaneous measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) with Tc-99m DTPA

The simultaneous measurements of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) with Tc-99m DTPA were evaluated clinically. After intravenous injection of Tc-99m DTPA, GFR determined from vesical external counting method and ERPF was calculated by the maximum counts of vascular phase on the renogram and plasma counting. The vesical external counting method with Tc-99m DTPA was superior to Gates' method in measurement of GFR. In normal subjects, GFR and ERPF decreased with aging after 50 years. Age-matched GFR (%GFR), age-matched ERPF (%ERPF) and age-matched FF (%FF) were used for the evaluation of renal function of any renal disorder. In the patients with renal failure and chronic nephritis, %GFR, %ERPF and %FF decreased clearly. %GFR decreased more markedly than %ERPF in those patients. In the patients with hypertension under 60 years, %GFR and %ERPF decreased compared to those of normal subjects. In the patients with hypertension over 60 years, %GFR and %ERPF were within normal range. In the patients with unilateral hydronephrosis, %GFR and %ERPF of the affected side decreased compared to those of normal subjects, %FF did not show any significant change. (author)