Determination of regional cerebral blood flow using a ¹³³Xe inhalation technique

A method for the determination of regional blood flow is described, using a ¹³³Xe inhalation technique and a three-compartment analysis. The constants characterizing the individual blood compartments are determined by setting precisely the constants in the empirical formulae. In the desaturation area the fitting of curves by the least-squares method is applied, checking at the same time that the given initial conditions are satisfied. The time shift of the measured curves may also be considered. The consistent application of the fitting technique leads to a decrease in the computer time needed to about one-half of that required by other digital methods.