A simple method to ensure homogeneous drug distribution during intrarenal infusion
Published online on November 23, 2016
Abstract
Intrarenal drug infusion plays an important role in renal experimental research. Laminar flow of the blood can cause streaming and inhomogeneous intrarenal distribution of infused drugs. We suggest a simple method to achieve a homogeneous intravascular distribution of drugs infused into the renal artery of anesthetized rats. The method employs a multiple sidehole catheter inserted into the renal artery, which enables an efficient drug mixing with the arterial blood. To verify the efficiency of this method we use laser speckle imaging and renal artery flowmetry. The results show that, compared to the conventional single-hole catheter, the multiple sidehole catheter provides a more uniform drug distribution and a homogenous vascular response on the surface of the kidney.