Renal Blood Flow in Acute Renal Failure Measured by Renal Arterial Infusion of Indocyanine Green

Summary

The renal blood flow was measured by a constant infusion of indocyanine green into a renal artery in 8 patients with acute oliguric renal failure. There was an average reduction of renal blood flow to 40% of normal. Renal oxygen consumption was similarly reduced. However, renal arteriovenous oxygen content difference was not significantly altered from control values. In the recovery phase renal blood flow and oxygen consumption increased to 70% of normal. The persistence of renal failure in the acute oliguric phase could not therefore be explained by total reduction in renal blood flow as had previously been postulated.