PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “global functioning”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Preservation of regional and global left ventricular function by intracoronary infusion with oxygenated fluorocarbon emulsion Therox in dogs.

We tested the oxygen transport and delivery capacity of the novel perfluorocarbon emulsion, Therox (F44E, 1,2-bis-perfluorobutyl-ethylene) by comparing left ventricular regional and global function in dogs during perfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with oxygenated Krebs buffer and oxygenated Therox emulsion (20% w/v) at 20 ml/min for two separate 3 min periods. During LAD perfusion with oxygenated Krebs buffer, complete loss of systolic wall thickening in the LAD perfusion area was observed, dP/dt was significantly reduced and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was increased. In contrast, LAD perfusion with oxygenated Therox maintained regional wall thickening at 60-70% of control and completely preserved global function as measured by dP/dt and LVEDP. Thus, Therox is an effective oxygen carrier in this animal model.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Relation of segmental wall motion to global left ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction.

The relation of left ventricular regional wall motion to global ventricular function was evaluated by radionuclide ventriculography in 127 patients within 18 hours of acute myocardial infarction. No patient had evidence of previous myocardial infarction. The following parameters were measured: (1) wall motion index; (2) percent of abnormally contracting segment; (3) ejection fraction (EF); (4) end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV); and (5) peak systolic cuff pressure/end-systolic volume ratio (PSP/ESV). The measurements of global function correlated well with wall motion index (r = 0.83, p less than 0.001 for EF; r = -0.69, p less than 0.001 for ESV; and r = 0.061, p less than 0.001 for PSP/ESV), but EDV correlated less well (r = -0.35, p less than 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that EF correlated best with wall motion index, and no other parameters of global left ventricular function added significantly to the regression. The correlation of motion in each segment with EF was determined by multiple linear regression analysis. Ejection fraction correlated best with motion in the anterobasal, then in order of correlation, in the apical-septal, inferoapical, anterolateral, and superlateral walls. The relation of EDV, ESV, and degree of percent abnormally contracting segments was as follows: EDV did not increase with a mild regional wall motion abnormality; however, ESV did increase and reduced stroke volume. As percent abnormally contracting segments worsened, enlargement of both EDV and ESV was seen and was associated with further reduction in systolic volume. These data suggest that EF is the best global left ventricular function correlate of the severity of the regional wall motion abnormality, and that abnormal motion in the territory of the left anterior descending coronary best predicts reduction in global left ventricular function. Radionuclide ventriculography is useful in characterizing global and regional left ventricular function in the early hours of acute myocardial infarction.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of right ventricular function by regional wall motion analysis in patients after correction of tetralogy of Fallot. Comparison of transventricular and nontransventricular repairs.

Right ventricular function was assessed by regional wall motion analysis and by global function in 62 patients after repair for tetralogy of Fallot. Its relation to surgical procedures, with special attention to right ventriculotomy, was investigated. Patients were classified as follows: group Ia (n = 17), transpulmonary-transatrial repair without right ventriculotomy; group Ib (n = 22), transpulmonary-transatrial repair with minimal right ventriculotomy and small transannular patch; and group II (n = 23), transventricular repair with or without transannular patch. For regional wall motion analysis, fractional area change was used for three anterior parts obtained from hemiaxis area analysis of the lateral right ventriculogram. Ejection fractions were used for global right ventricular function. Functional assessment was done both at rest and during isoproterenol infusion, which is a stress test to evaluate cardiac functional reserve. At rest, group Ia showed better right ventricular anterior wall motion as well as global ejection fraction than did group II. Group Ib showed a global ejection fraction comparable to group Ia, with better regional wall motion in the middle anterior part of the right ventricle despite the depressed upper and lower anterior parts of the right ventricle. Group II showed depressed wall motion of the middle anterior part and the resultant impaired global ejection fraction. During isoproterenol infusion, group Ia showed significant increase in fractional area change of all anterior parts and in global ejection fraction. Group Ib showed significant increases in fractional area change at the middle and lower parts and in global ejection fraction comparable with group Ia. Otherwise, group II showed no significant change in fractional area change, or in global ejection fraction, at the upper and middle parts. These results indicated that transpulmonary-transatrial repair for tetralogy of Fallot provided better postoperative global right ventricular function and its reserve, with less impaired regional wall motion, than did the transventricular repair.

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMed1998

Biphasic response to dobutamine predicts improvement of global left ventricular function after surgical revascularization in patients with stable coronary artery disease: implications of time course of recovery on diagnostic accuracy.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the time course of improvement of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in stable patients and its implications on the accuracy of dobutamine echocardiography for predicting improvement after surgical revascularization. BACKGROUND: Little is known about the optimal timing for evaluation of postrevascularization recovery of the contractile function of viable myocardium. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with chronic ischemic LV dysfunction scheduled for elective surgical revascularization were prospectively selected. They underwent dobutamine echocardiography (5 to 40 microg/kg body weight per min) and radionuclide ventriculography both preoperatively and at 3-month follow-up. At 14 months, another evaluation of LV function was obtained. To analyze echocardiograms, a 16-segment model and a five-point scoring system were used. Dyssynergic segments were considered likely to recover in the presence of a biphasic contractile response to dobutamine. Improvement of global function was defined as a > or =5% increase in LV ejection fraction (LVEF). RESULTS: Of the 61 patients, LVEF improved in 12 at 3 months and in 19 at late follow-up (from 32+/-8% to 42+/-9%, p < 0.0001). The frequency and time course of improvement of LVEF were similar in patients with mild and severe LV dysfunction. A biphasic response, identified in 186 of the 537 dyssynergic segments, was predictive of recovery in 63% at 3 months and in 75% at late follow-up. The positive predictive value was best in the most severe dyssynergic segments (90% vs. 67%). Other responses were highly predictive for nonrecovery (92%). The sensitivity and specificity for improvement of global function on a patient basis (> or =4 biphasic segments) were 89% and 81%, respectively, at late follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Serial postoperative follow-up studies demonstrate incomplete recovery of contractile function at 3 months. The diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine echocardiography for predicting recovery is dependent on three factors: the combining of low and high dobutamine dosages, the severity of regional dyssynergy and the timing of evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

New modalities of regional and global left ventricular function analysis: state of the art.

Study of left ventricular (LV) regional and global function represents a main point of the cardiologic evaluation. This article presents an overview of the state of the art in quantitative analysis of ventricular wall motion and describes the different techniques available in clinical settings; we also present the personal experience of the authors in comparing conventional 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography with other recently developed, more sophisticated techniques. Conventional 2D echocardiography mainly depends on the operator's ability. Moreover, the physiologic regional pattern of myocardial wall motion in different segments of left ventricle is still not completely known as well as the heart's rotational and translational movements. Qualitative and quantitative transesophageal echocardiography allows a better and more accurate evaluation of regional wall motion, and improves the on-line border detection feasibility even in patients with poor transthoracic echocardiographic window. The automated system for on-line endocardial border detection, color kinesis, and the power Doppler are, at the moment, promising techniques. Using magnetic resonance imaging as a "gold standard" for the study of global and regional left ventricular function, the investigators describe personal experiences with tissue Doppler imaging and a new computerized system for tissue Doppler images postprocessing analysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Analysis of right ventricular function in healthy mice and a murine model of heart failure by in vivo MRI.

Because of its complex geometry, assessment of right ventricular (RV) function is more difficult than it is for the left ventricle (LV). Because gene-targeted mouse models of cardiomyopathy may involve remodeling of the right heart, the purpose of this study was to develop high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for in vivo quantification of RV volumes and global function in mice. Thirty-three mice of various age were studied under isoflurane anesthesia by electrocardiogram-triggered cine-MRI at 7 T. MRI revealed close correlations between RV and LV stroke volume and cardiac output (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001 each). Consistent with human physiology, murine RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were significantly higher compared with LV volumes (P < 0.05 each). MRI in mice with LV heart failure due to myocardial infarction revealed significant structural and functional changes of the RV, indicating RV dysfunction. Hence, MRI allows for the quantification of RV volumes and global systolic function with high accuracy and bears the potential to evaluate mechanisms of RV remodeling in mouse models of heart failure.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Safety and efficacy of idebenone versus tacrine in patients with Alzheimer's disease: results of a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group multicenter study.

This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of idebenone vs. tacrine in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group multicenter study in patients suffering from dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) of mild to moderate degree. Diagnosis was based on DSM-III-R (primary degenerative dementia) and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria (probable Alzheimer's disease). A total of 203 patients of both sexes aged between 40 and 90 years were randomized to either idebenone 360 mg/day (n = 104) or tacrine up to 160 mg/day (n = 99) and treated for 60 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Efficacy Index Score (EIS). The EIS combines dropout as well as the relevant improvements individually across the three levels of assessment (cognitive function, activities of daily living, global function). Secondary outcome measures were the ADAS-Cog score, the NOSGER-IADL score and the clinical global response (CGI-Improvement). After 60 weeks of treatment, 28.8 % of the patients randomized to idebenone, but only 9.1 % of the patients randomized to tacrine were still on the drug. In the LOCF analysis, 50 % of the patients randomized to idebenone but only 39.4 % of the patients randomized to tacrine showed an improvement in the Efficacy Index Score or at least one of the secondary outcome variables. The primary efficacy measurement was the change of the Efficacy Index Score from baseline to the assessment after 60 weeks treatment. The analysis was done on intention-to-treat (ITT) in a before-and-after test design. Patients randomized to idebenone showed a higher benefit from treatment than patients randomized to tacrine. We conclude that the benefit-risk ratio is favorable for idebenone compared to tacrine, and furthermore, that this ratio is likely to be similar when comparing idebenone to other cholinesterase inhibitors.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Open-label study of atypical neuroleptic quetiapine for treatment of borderline personality disorder: impulsivity as main target.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate that atypical neuroleptics may be safe and useful in treating many symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD), including impulsivity, which can constitute the core dimension of this pathology. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of quetiapine in patients with well-defined BPD. It was hypothesized that quetiapine would reduce impulsivity (primary hypothesis) and also affective and micropsychotic symptoms, resulting in improved social and global functioning (secondary hypothesis). METHOD: Twenty-three outpatients with BPD according to DSM-IV criteria and the revised Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines completed a 12-week open-label study with quetiapine. The study was conducted from May 2001 to May 2003. The clinical efficacy was assessed using the following: Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression and Anxiety, Hopelessness Scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, Temperament and Character Inventory, Social Adjustment Scale, and Global Assessment of Functioning. RESULTS: The mean daily dose of quetiapine (251 +/- 50 mg; range, 175-400 mg) was well tolerated. Impulsivity was significantly improved by quetiapine (p = .0015), as were most of our outcome measures: hostility, depression, anxiety, character dimensions, and social and global functioning (p < .05). In the small subgroup of patients with psychotic symptoms at baseline, there was a significant reduction in these symptoms (N = 8, p = .018). CONCLUSION: In a sample of patients with severe BPD without or with only few psychotic symptoms, a low dose of quetiapine was associated with a strong positive clinical impact, including improvement of impulsivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Global Assessment of Functioning ratings and the allocation and outcomes of mental health services.

OBJECTIVE: The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is an integral part of the standard multiaxial psychiatric diagnostic system. The purpose of including the GAF in DSM-IV as a tool for axis V assessment is to enable clinicians to obtain information about global functioning to supplement existing data about symptoms and diagnoses and to help predict the allocation and outcomes of mental health treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the value of the GAF as part of a systemwide program for monitoring the allocation and outcomes of mental health care services. METHODS: Clinicians used the GAF to assess global functioning among 9,854 patients with psychiatric or substance use disorders, or both, who were already participating in an outcomes monitoring program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. A longitudinal prospective follow-up design was used. RESULTS: Patients' clinical diagnoses and symptoms were stronger predictors of GAF ratings than was their social or occupational functioning. GAF-rated impairment was associated with the provision of inpatient or residential care and outpatient psychiatric care, but patients with greater levels of impairment did not receive more treatment. GAF ratings were only minimally associated with treatment outcomes. No robust associations were found between GAF ratings and outcomes as assessed by clinician interview or by patients' self-report at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Including GAF ratings in a program for predicting the allocation and outcomes of mental health care is of questionable value. Research is needed to determine whether systematic training and ongoing validity checks would enhance the contribution of the GAF in monitoring service use and outcomes.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

One year outcome in first episode schizophrenia. Predictors of relapse.

The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of outcome at one year follow-up after the first psychotic episode of schizophrenia. Seventy-nine first-episode schizophrenia patients were assessed monthly with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), and Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) after discharge from their first hospitalization. Outcome measures were presence of relapse and rehospitalization, level of global functioning, employment status and severity of symptoms at one year. A total of 33% of the patients had a relapse, and 12.1% were rehospitalized during one year follow-up. Premorbid childhood functionality was worse in patients who had relapse, but there was no correlation between premorbid adjustment scores and BPRS, SANS and SAPS scores at one year. There was no difference in duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) between patients who had relapse and not; however, the patients who had double relapse, had longer DUP than those without relapse. The time period between discharge and rehospitalization was shorter in patients with longer DUP. Functionality in childhood and noncompliance to the treatment independently contributed to the relapse rate. Functionality in late adolescence independently contributed to the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale score at one year and the GAF score at discharge appeared as a predictor of employment. The results of the present study suggest that treatment compliance and early premorbid adjustment level seem to be important predictors of relapse rate in first episode schizophrenia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Quantitative gated blood pool tomographic assessment of regional ejection fraction: definition of normal limits.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to select a method of analysis for gated blood pool tomography that reduced variability in a group of normal subjects, allowed comparison with normal limit files and displayed results in the bull's-eye format. BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in left ventricular function may not be accurately detected by measures of global function because hyperkinesia in normal regions may compensate for abnormal regional function. Gated blood pool tomography acquires three-dimensional data and offers advantages over other noninvasive modalities for quantitative assessment of global and regional function. METHODS: Alternative methods for selecting the ventricular axis, calculating regional ejection fraction and choosing the number of ventricular divisions were studied in 15 normal volunteers to select the combination of parameters that produced the lowest variability in quantitative regional ejection fraction. Methods for quantitative comparison of regional ejection fraction with normal limit files and for display in the bull's-eye format were also examined. RESULTS: A fixed axis (the geometric center of the ventricle defined for end-diastole and used for end-systole) gave ejection fractions that were significantly higher in the lateral wall versus in the septum, 82 +/- 8 (mean +/- 1 SD) versus 39 +/- 17 (p less than 0.001) at the midcavity and 66 +/- 11 versus 21 +/- 20 (p less than 0.001) at the base. A floating axis system (axis defined individually for end-diastole and end-systole and realigned at the center) gave more uniform regional ejection fraction: 63 +/- 6 versus 64 +/- 8 (p = NS) at the midcavity and 44 +/- 16 versus 45 +/- 15 (p = NS) at the base. The coefficient of variability for regional ejection fraction was consistently lower using a floating axis. Calculating regional ejection fraction by dividing the regional stroke volume by the end-diastolic volume of the region gave a lower coefficient of variability and a more easily understood value than dividing the regional stroke volume by the total end-diastolic volume of the ventricle. Although the variability was lower using five versus nine ventricular divisions, nine regions offer greater spatial resolution. Comparison of regional ejection fraction with normal data identified regions greater than 2.5 SD below the mean as abnormal. We described the two-dimensional bull's-eye format as a method for displaying the regional three-dimensional data and illustrated abnormalities in patients with prior myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Gated blood pool tomography performed using a floating axis system, regional stroke volume calculation of ejection fraction and nine regions uses all the three-dimensional blood pool data to calculate regional ejection fraction, allow quantitative comparison with normal limit files, display the functional data in the two-dimensional bull's-eye format and demonstrate abnormalities in patients with myocardial infarction.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Community support services and functioning of the seriously mentally ill.

A cohort of 729 chronically mentally ill patients receiving community support services (CSS) were followed over a nine-month period. Receiving needed community support services was shown to predict change in client functioning as measured by the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) even after the initial values on the GAS, as well as demographic, psychiatric, residential and medication maintenance variables were considered. Adequacy of social support from family, friends and others also contributed to predicting change in global functioning of the CSS patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Evidence of clozapine's effectiveness in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate all available trial-based evidence on the effectiveness of clozapine in schizophrenia as compared with conventional neuroleptics. METHOD: All randomized, controlled trials comparing clozapine with a conventional neuroleptic in which there was satisfactory concealment of patients' treatment allocation were located through electronic searches in all languages of several databases and through contacting authors of recent trials as well as the manufacturer of clozapine. At least two independent reviewers assessed trials for inclusion in the study and extracted data for meta-analysis. RESULTS: The review included 2,530 randomly assigned participants in 30 trials, most of them short-term. Clozapine-treated patients showed more clinical improvement and experienced significantly fewer relapses during treatment, although the risk of blood dyscrasias in long-term treatment may be as high as 7%. Scores on symptom rating scales showed greater improvement among clozapine-treated patients, who were also more satisfied with their treatment. However, there was no evidence that the superior clinical effect of clozapine is reflected in levels of functioning; on the other hand, global functional and pragmatic outcomes were frequently not reported. Clinical improvement was most pronounced in patients with treatment-resistant illness. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis confirms that clozapine is more effective than conventional neuroleptics in reducing symptoms of patients with both treatment-resistant and nonresistant schizophrenia. Future trials should be long-term pragmatic community trials or should address the effectiveness of clozapine in special patient populations. An international standard set of outcomes, including pragmatic assessments of functioning, would greatly enhance the comparison and summation of trials and future assessments of effectiveness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Wiscosin card sorting task in patients with schizophrenia and thier siblings].

OBJECTIVE: This study's first objective was to confirm that patients with schizophrenia and their nonmentally ill siblings share the same impaired executive function when compared to healthy control subjects. The second objective was to study the relation between Wisconsin card sorting task (WCST) performance and the persistence and severity of clinical symptoms, as well as different clinical dimensions. METHOD: Ninety subjects were involved in this study, divided in 3 groups of 30 each: one group of patients with schizophrenia, one group of their siblings, and a control group. Symptom severity was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and social functioning was measured by the Global functioning scale (GFS). The WCST was administered to all 3 groups. RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia and their siblings had a significantly lower WCST performance than control subjects. Statistical analysis showed that the patient group had a significantly greater impaired WCST performance than the 2 other groups. Siblings also had a significantly lower performance than the control subjects. Furthermore, no significant relation was found between WCST performance and other variables, including age, gender, education, illness duration, treatment, and different PANSS and GFS scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with schizophrenia and their nonmentally ill siblings share the same impaired executive function. These findings suggest that WCST performance can be considered a schizophrenia vulnerability marker in siblings of patients with schizophrenia.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

Assessing the health and economic impact of galantamine treatment in patients with Alzheimer's disease in the health care systems of different countries.

INTRODUCTION: Cholinesterase inhibitors have been shown to improve cognitive function and improve or maintain global function. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the long-term economic impact of treating patients with Alzheimer's disease with galantamine in seven healthcare systems: Australia, Canada, Finland, New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK. METHODS: The time until patients require full-time care (FTC), defined as the consistent requirement for a significant amount of care giving and supervision each day, and the associated costs were evaluated using the 'Assessment of Health Economics in Alzheimer's Disease (AHEAD)' model. Efficacy data were obtained from three clinical trials comparing galantamine with placebo and local cost and resource use data were determined for each country. Forecast costs reported in Euros (2001 value), were made for up to 10 years in each healthcare system. All costs were determined from a perspective somewhat broader than that of a comprehensive payer, including social services. Both benefits and costs were discounted at 3%. RESULTS: Galantamine (16 mg/day) is predicted to delay the need for FTC by 6.8%, thus the cumulative cost of care over 10 years is expected to be reduced, and this offsets much or all of the cost of galantamine. Approximately five patients need to be treated to avoid 1 year of FTC. In each healthcare system, FTC was estimated to account for 61-92% of the cost. Savings were estimated for most of the countries. For those countries with an expected expense, there were reasonable costs per FTC month avoided (euro553, discounted) and costs per quality-adjusted life year gained (euro25,000). CONCLUSION: In addition to the clinical benefits associated with galantamine treatment, the savings predicted from delaying FTC may offset the treatment costs.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2002

[Evaluation scales used in the demented patient].

As the number of potential therapeutic agents and treatment studies has grown, increasing attention has been given to improving the methodology of clinical trials to assess their efficacy more appropriately. Much of this attention has focused on development and careful consideration of rating scales. A factor in the development of new medications is that the clinical, biological and genetic heterogeneity of Alzheimer's disease, combined with the progressive deteriorating course of the untreated, means that specific treatments will be helpful for only a subset of patients. Some patients will respond dramatically but many more will respond only modestly or not. It is therefore important to be able to assess a range of treatment responses in both individuals and groups of patients, and to identify treatment responders clearly. Furthermore, because dementia affects behavior, physical activities, social functioning, interpersonal relationships, and overall global function, in addition to cognition, clinicians should be able to assess and appreciate improvements in these areas as well. Lastly, it is important that similar ratings are used among the many trials so that clinicians can gain a general appreciation of relative efficacy of medication from study to study and be able to make better comparison between medications.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1991

[Radiopharmaceuticals in kidney diagnosis].

Nuclear medicine is potentially of great value in assessing renal function. Due to the many simple methods which have been proposed and new developments in renal radiopharmaceuticals and computer software, quick, reliable and precise answers to questions from clinicians are possible. Depending on the needs and infrastructure of each clinic, and due to specific renal radiopharmaceuticals combined with the simplicity of radioactivity measurements, plasma clearance can be obtained from one or two plasma samples within 45 minutes with good accuracy. More widely used methods require the gamma camera, which gives the same functional results but, besides the global function, split renal function is obtainable. Today we have radiopharmaceuticals which are well validated. They measure functional parameters such as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the effective renal plasma flow (ERPF). Others can be used to give morphological information. The recently developed drugs can be labeled with Tc-99m, work-horse of the nuclear medicine physician. This radionuclide combines optimal physical properties (ideal gamma energy [140 keV]), no beta emission, short half life (6 h) and consequent low radiation dose to the patient) with low cost and permanent availability. Of the many agents cleared by GFR, two are mainly used in the clinic (chromium-51-EDTA and Tc-99m-DTPA). The first agent is very reliable due to its radiochemical and biological properties, but only the latter can be used when imaging is required. Two agents which are actively secreted by the renal tubules are available for the estimation of ERPF: radioiodinated ortho-iodohippurate (OIH) as radioactively labeled analog of the classic agent para-aminohippurate (PAH), and the new drug Tc-99m-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Glomerular Filtration Rate↗