The use of freely diffusible, NMR‐detectable tracers for measuring organ perfusion

The application of NMR techniques to tracer methods for measuring organ perfusion is a relatively recent development. The general theory for measurement of organ perfusion after the administration of exogenous, freely diffusible tracers is discussed with special attention to NMR‐detectable tracers. Different routes of tracer administration are available and are presented in the context of the effect of route of administration on data analysis. A review of the recent literature validating the use of deuterium and fluorine as NMR flow tracers is provided.