title: Evaluation of red blood cell and plasma flow and volume by the use of a dynamic and dual static acquisition radionuclide technique in arterial flaps in sheep.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate whether in the distal, poorly perfused part of a flap the pressure gradient remains sufficient to allow flow of plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) within the first hour after flap elevation. For this purpose 99Tcm-labelled RBCs and 111In-chloride-labelled plasma proteins in an arterial skin flap that extended beyond the boundaries of its vascular territory in sheep has been used. Flow information was derived for both plasma and RBCs from dynamic acquisitions, while volume information was derived from dual energy static acquisition at equilibrium (steady-state). Results indicate that the mean flow and the mean volume of plasma are equal through the entire length of the flap. Although the flow is minimal, there is no stasis of plasma in the poorly perfused part of the flap. By comparing the mean flow of RBCs to their mean volume, no difference is seen in the well-perfused proximal two-thirds of the flap. In the distal, poorly perfused part, flow decreases while the volume increases. The increased volume of RBCs at minimal flow indicate pooling of RBCs in this region already in the first hour after flap elevation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University and Clinical Research Centre.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Banic
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kouris
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D004911:Erythrocyte Volume; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D007204:Indium; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D010949:Plasma / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010953:Plasma Volume; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012756:Sheep; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013667:Technetium
chemical_list: D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007204:Indium; C020758:indium trichloride; D013667:Technetium