with Radioactive Iodinated Serum Albumin

Methods which permit measurement of peripheral blood flow volume should prove valuable in the study of peripheral vascular diseases. A review of the voluminous literature on the subject indicates that most of the present techniques reflect an indirect estimation of the peripheral blood flow and blood volume. With the exception of arteriography, no present test for peripheral circulation actually directly visualizes the blood flow. Particularly in the selection of patients for lumbar sympathectomy, the capacity of peripheral vessels to respond to dilatation is an important criterion. In a recent review of available methods for predetermining the successful response to treatment of peripheral vascular diseases it was concluded that the experience of the physician was superior to any ordinary laboratory tests (Messent and others).1