Glomerular Filtration Rate: Fundamentals and Clinical Implementation Using Radiopharmaceuticals
Description
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) is the most useful clinical indicator of renal function for staging kidney disease, adjustment of drug dosages, and screening for X-ray contrast administration. GFR may be estimated via plasma and/or urinary methods (eGFR) using endogenous products of catabolism (creatinine or C-reactive protein), as well as measured using unmetabolized exogenous markers that are administered intravenously as a bolus or constant infusion. This includes studies using in vitro assay of radiolabeled DTPA, EDTA, and iothalimate, chemical assay of inulin or x-ray contrast, and in- vivo nuclear, CT, or MRI methods. Additionally, most GFR models become unreliable in renal failure, or other pathophysiological states, leading to the need for alternative methods. The purpose of this session is to familiarize the audience with the relevant biomedical, kinetic and clinical concepts related to GFR and discuss methods for GFR measurement using radiopharmaceuticals.