The Application of Hydrodynamics to Elucidate the Interrelationships of Various Body Compartment Volumes

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The dynamics of the plasma concentration of substances diffusing interstitially and cleared by the kidney have been studied in terms of the differential equations for multi-compartment systems. The equations resolve into a series of exponential terms, with constants related to the physical data. In the case of a single interstitial compartment with a single diffusion rate, the constants can be derived without difficulty. A simple hydraulic analogue was constructed for the investigation of more complex cases, and a series of qualitative observations is reported. The "virtual interstitial concentration, reaches a peak before it is equal to the plasma concentration and the apparent equilibrium is only momentary and, therefore, of doubtful value in estimating interstitial fluid volume.

This publication has 37 references indexed in Scilit: