Determining hepatic transport kinetics by mathematical modeling

Abstract

Three approaches to the measurement of hepatic transport kinetics by mathematical modeling are briefly reviewed. The so-called lumped, two-compartment model and the single-pass multiple-indicator dilution method enjoy a long history of wide application, but each is subject to important errors inherent in their underlying assumptions. An understanding of the reasons for these errors, as revealed by simulation analysis, suggests a third approach that can substantially improve the previous difficulties.