Common Equations Used In Renal Physiology

Name Clearance
[P]x Clearance Ratio = Cx

Equation
Cx = [U]xV

Units
ml/min

Comments
x is any substance Also means fractional excretion of x

Clearance Ratio
Cinulin RPF = [U]PAHV

None

Renal plasma flow

[RA]PAH - [RV]PAH Effective RPF =[U]PAHV

ml/min Underestimates RPF by 10% Equals CPAH RBF = RPF

Effective renal plasma flow Renal Blood Flow

[P]PAH

ml/min

ml/min 1 - Hct GFR = [U]inulinV

1 - Hct is fraction of blood volume that is plasma Equals Cinulin

Glomerular Filtration Rate

[P]inulin FF = GFR

ml/min

Filtration Fraction
RPF

None

Filtered Load

Filtered Load = GFR x [P]x

mg/min

Excretion Rate Reabsorption or Secretion Rate

Excretion = V X [U]x

mg/min If positive, net reabsorption If negative, net secretion If positive, free water is excreted ml/min If negative, free water is reabsorbed

Reabsorption or secretion = filtered load - excretion

mg/min

CH2O = V - Cosm

Free-Water Clearance