Abstract
The blood flow of 57 kidneys has been studied on 63 occasions with a dye-dilution method using indocyanine green. The investigations were performed in connection with selective renal angiographies. The technical requirements of the method are discussed. In cases of multiple arterial supply to the kidney, determination of the blood flow cannot be performed using this dyedilution method. In healthy individuals the blood flow was somewhat higher in the left kidney than in the right: 591 ml/min. 1.73 m2 body surface and 548 ml/min. 1.73 m2 body surface respectively. Different parenchymatous kidney disorders resulted in a decreased blood flow of varying degrees. In cases of unilateral parenchymal reduction a compensatory increase of blood flow was found in the larger kidney, which in two young persons resulted in a normal total blood flow. In older patients, on the other hand, a normal total blood flow was not obtained. Appearance time (AT), which may be used as an index of the flow velocity through the kidney, averaged 2.6 sec in normal kidneys. In glomerulonephritis AT was markedly increased; in nephrosclerosis and pyelonephritis it was moderately increased.