New formulas for the calculation of effective renal plasma flow

Estimation of effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) can be made easily, inexpensively, and accurately by means of a single plasma concentration determination, sampled 44 min after injection of 131I-orthoiodohippurate (OIH). We originally established predictive regression equations based on a series of patients with a wide variety of diseases and a few normal potential kidney donors. The equation best fitting that data was parabolic in form and assumed a negative slope when high ERPF rates were encountered. This problem has been corrected by deriving new equations (parabolic and exponential) based on an expanded series which includes a large number of subjects with high ERPF. Errors of estimation are lower than those of the more classic para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) clearances and well within the exigencies of clinical practice.