[Kinetics of whole-body water and bromide space in patients with liver cirrhosis (author's transl)].

The kinetics of extracellular water (82Br) and total body water (THO) in controls and patients with liver cirrhosis are studied. Analysis of the plasma activity of the radionuclides as a function of time shows that distribution volumes and kinetics can be described by a linear open three-compartment model and that the volumes are of about equal size. Measuring is carried out in the central compartment in which the radionuclides are injected as a bolus. In cirrhotic patients equilibration into a third compartment is attained about four times slower than in controls. Elimination is reduced by about the same factor. Reduced diffusion and effective blood flow in the cirrhotic patients are discussed as possible reasons for the differences.