Indocyanine green 1 (ICG) is a tricarbocyanine dye (Figure 1) which has been used in the indicator dilution technique for measuring cardiac output (1, 2). Animal studies (3) and preliminary observations of human subjects (4, 5) have suggested that this dye may have characteristics that could make its uptake, storage, and excretion by the liver helpful indices of hepatic function. The present investigations were carried out to determine whether indocyanine green has properties that may render it suitable for assessing liver function and hepatic blood flow in man.METHODS AND PROCEDURES Physical properties. Indocyanine green was prepared for intravenous administration by dissolving the dye in distilled water to a concentration of 5 mg per ml. Readings of dye concentration were made in a Beckman DU spectrophotometer at 815 m/1.Volume of distribution of radioiodinated human serum albumin 2 was compared with the initial volume of distribution of ICG in 4 normal subjects. Each subject was given approximately 20 /Ac of the I3"-labeled albumin and 50 mg of ICG in a rapid intravenous injection. Venous samples were taken at intervals during the following *

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pump (Harvard Apparatus Co., Dover, Mass.) drew blood through 40 em. of polyethylene tubing Circulation, Volume XXIV, October 1961 720 by guest on March 25, 2015 http://circ.ahajournals.org/ Downloaded from

A study of 537 patients referred to the Cardiac Work Evaluation Unit of Boston during the 5-year period from 1955 to 1960 has been undertaken. The present report concerns the 375 individuals with coronary or hypertensive heart disease evaluated during the period of study. Of the total number, 76 were considered unemployable and 299 (80 per cent) employable. Of the employable, 64 (21 per cent) are known to have died subsequently. Of those for whom some follow-up was obtained, 82 per cent returned to work or continued working after initial evaluation. When last known, 64 per cent of those still alive were still working. The mean duration of follow-up for this series was 4.5 years. Consideration of the factors that may influence the subsequent employment experience indicated that successful employment was significantly more frequent for subjects below the age of 50, with favorable current cardiac classification (IIB or better), with apparently good motivation, or after a period of unemployment less than 1 year, than for patients in whom any of these factors was unfavorable. Certain specific medical factors, such as heart size, history of previous myocardial infarctions, and blood pressure, had a less constant relation to subsequent employment, though they did have some relation to the medical prognosis. There was no indication in the present study that employment influenced the mortality statistics.