Fractionation of the Cardiac Output of Rats with Isotopic Potassium

Abstract

A single injection of K⁴² given intravenously is initially distributed among the organs in proportion to the blood flow through them. By determining the organ content of K⁴² after such an injection the cardiac output may be fractionated. The conditions and limitations of the method are discussed and values are given for the fractional distribution of the cardiac output in the rat.