This paper reviews the fundamental basis of radionuclide tracer methods used in the investigation of the circulation. The various Xenon-133-clearance methods for the measurement of cerebral blood flow are described, and their advantages and limitations are indicated. An outline is also given of the use of corresponding tracer-clearance techniques in the determination of blood flow in liver and muscle. The potential advantages of short-lived positron-emitting radionuclides and positron-emission tomography are considered, and quantitative and qualitative non-diffusible radionuclide tracer methods are also discussed.
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