Simplified Method for Calculating Flow, Mean Circulation Time and Downslope from Indicator-Dilution Curves

Abstract

Indicator dilution curves are analyzed graphically in order to calculate rapidly their area, their downslopes, and mean circulation times. The curves are divided graphically into two portions. The first, the non-linear portion is integrated arithmetically. The integrals of the second, the single exponential, portion of the curve are determined from a simple mathematical formula. From the sum of arithmetic and mathematic integrals, the area and mean circulation time are quickly calculated.