Computerized stripping method for multiple nuclide microsphere studies

Radiolabeled microspheres are commonly used to measure cardiac output and regional blood flow distribution in small animals such as rats. By using batches of microspheres labeled with different nuclides, several flow measurements can be made in the same animal. A protocol and computer program for analyzing data from multiple nuclide microsphere experiments are described. This protocol is designed to reduce the amount of arterial blood which must be withdrawn during microsphere distribution and eliminate the potential loss of data due to contamination of reference samples by nuclides used in previous flow measurements.