Glomerular Filtration Rate Measurements

This test is designed to measure the Glomerular Filtration Rate which indicates how well the kidneys filter and remove unwanted substances from the blood. The patient is given an injection of 99mTc-DTPA, which is cleared from the blood by the glomeruli in the kidneys. Blood samples are collected from the patient and the level of 99mTc-DTPA remaining in the blood can be measured providing a measure of the filtration rate. This test is used for:

• Assessment of renal function prior to and during cytotoxic drug use.
• Post treatment evaluation of infection level.
• Determination of drug-induced renal damage.
• Monitoring of renal function.
• Post therapy monitoring.
• Assessment of potential live donors for transplantation.
• Detection of renal failure where (a) serum creatinine results might be misleading;     (b) missing a decline in renal function might be disastrous e.g. single kidney, renovascular disease or renal transplant; (c) 24 h clearance measurement is difficult e.g. elderly or those with learning difficulties. 
• Evaluation and follow up of renal function in chronic glomerulonephropathies e.g. haemolytic uraemic syndrome or diabetes mellitus.
• Evaluation of single kidney function in conjunction with relative renal function measurements from static or dynamic radionuclide imaging.

Pipetting of plasma from centrifuged blood samples for GFR test analysis.

For more information see Related Documents section (File NM2.doc)