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This is called the volume of distribution (VOD).
Properties of the tracer and compartment measured
Tracers are generally introduced into the vascular
compartment, and they distribute throughout body water
until they reach a barrier they cannot penetrate. The two
major barriers encountered are capillary membranes and
cell membranes. Ideal tracers should be
well distributed within that compartment, and
not rapidly metabolized or removed from that
compartment. Thus, tracer characteristics for the
measurement of the various compartments are as follows:
• Plasma: tracer not permeable to capillary
membranes, e.g., Evans blue dye (T-1824) and 125I-
albumin.
• ECF: tracer permeable to capillary membranes but
not cell membranes, e.g., 22Na, 125I-iothalamate,
thiosulfate, inulin, mannitol, sodium, and sucrose.
• Total body water: tracer permeable to capillary and
cell membranes, e.g., radioactive water (tritium, 3H2O)
or heavy water (deuterium, 2H2O), antipyrine, and
urea.
Blood Volume versus Plasma Volume
Blood volume represents the plasma volume plus the
volume of RB Cs, which is usually expressed as hematocrit
(fractional concentration of RB Cs). The following formula
can be utilized to convert plasma volume to blood volume: