Estimation of the Functional capacity of the Liver by Indocyanine Green

Abstract

The functional capacity of the liver was determined in 48 patients with various parenchymal liver diseases and in 19 normal subjects employing kinetics analysis of hepatic removal of indocyanine green (ICG).
The maximum removal rate (Rmax) was calculated through Lineweaver-Burk regression from submaximal dosis (0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0mg/kg BW) of ICG. This function equalled 3.18 ± 1.62mg/kg/min (mean ± SD) in normal subjects, and it was 0.34 ± 0.11mg/kg/min in liver cirrhosis. Rmax calculated from three loading dosis (0.5, 3.0, 5.0mg/kg BW) was more useful than another three dosis (0.5, 1.0, 5.0mg/kg BW) to differentiate liver diseases from normal.
Relationship between Rmax calculated by the three point analysis and by two point analysis (0.5 and 5.0mg/kg BW) showed a significant correlation (r=0.8297 p<0.01). This results suggested that Rmax through two point analysis is clinically useful.