Year : 2003, Volume : 1, Issue : 2
First page : ( 1) Last page : ( 1)
Print ISSN : 0973-1970. Online ISSN : 0974-4487.

Rapid determination of carboxyhemoglobin in blood by oximeter

Brehmer C, Iten P X

Abstract

Different methods to determine carboxyhemoglobin(COHb) in blood are described in the literature. In our laboratory three methods to analyze COHb in post-mortom blood samples were compared: the spectrophotometric method of Maehly, a gas chromatographic metod with a theral conductivity detectoe (GC-TCD) and the Oximeter.Several COHb containing blood samples of deceased persons were analyzed.Results of all three methods were caomparable for low concentrations (ca.10% COHb) aewell asfor high concentrations (ca.80% COHb) regardless of the viscosity of the blood samples. The advantages of the Oximeter when compared to aehly's ethod and GC-TCD are extreme short time of analysis (<1min>.very small blood volue required (<0.1 ml) and easy handling. In our opinion application of Oximeter is not limited to analyses of blood samples fro living persons (e.g. in clinical toxicology): it can aswell be used for the deterination of COHb in postmortem blood samples. Hence it is a useful and time saving tool in forensic toxicology

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