Blood flow and blood volume in the femoral heads of healthy adults according to age: Measurement with positron emission tomography (PET)

Objective: To deepen understanding of hemodynamics in the femoral head, i.e ., the essential factor in clarifying pathogenesis of hip disorders, this s tudy examined blood flow and blood volume in the femoral heads of healthy a dults, and their changes with age, by using positron emission tomography (P ET). Methods: In 16 healthy adult males (age: 20-78 years old, mean age: 42 year s), blood Row was measured by means of the (H2O)-O-15 dynamic study method, and blood volume was measured by means of the O-15-labeled carbon monoxide bolus inhalation method. Results: Blood Row was 1.68-6.47 ml/min/100 g (mean +/- SD: 3.52 +/-1.2), a nd blood volume was 1.67-6.03 ml/100 g (mean +/- SD: 3.00 +/-1.27). Blood f low significantly decreased (p < 0.01) with age, and blood volume significa ntly increased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PET was useful in the measurement of blood flow and blood volum e in the femoral heads. With age, physiological hemodynamic changes also in creased in femoral heads.