A RAPID SIMPLE IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF Tc99m RED BLOOD CELLS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF RED CELL VOLUME

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Abstract
An improved method of labeling red blood cells with Tc99m has been developed. The labeling technique uses a citrate anticoagulant with a strong buffering capacity. This allows the stannous chloride reducing agent to be prepared as a stock solution. In comparison to other related methods, larger volumes of the reducing material and pertechnetate are used which results in better mixing with no decrease in yield Only 2 centrifugation steps are required to obtain approximately 40 per cent yield with whole blood; the entire procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. Red blood cell volumes were determined simultaneously in 35 patients using Tc99m and Cr51. The difference between individual measurements was not clinically or statistically significant. This procedure is ideal for pediatric patients because of the low radiation dose of Tc99m. It is also advantageous because of the good counting statistics and rapid physical decay of the Tc99m isotope, which allows for small blood samples and repeated studies. Likewise, accurate and precise blood volume in small animals, e.g., rat, guinea pig, rabbit, etc., can be conveniently accomplished.

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