Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries and distributes oxygen to the body. Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which an abnormal amount of methemoglobin (MetHb), a form of hemoglobin (Hb), is produced from either inadequate MetHb reductase activity or too much MetHb production or by exposure to oxidizing agents. This could lead to anoxia and death if it is not treated. However, this parameter has not been investigated as a valid post-mortem indicator because random MetHb levels have been observed in various studies: MetHb increases can be observed due to autoxidation during storage, and MetHb decreases can be observed due to MetHb reductase or microbial activity in post-mortem samples. MetHb variations can also come from the blood state and can interfere in the optical measurements of MetHb. We have studied the post-mortem MetHb concentrations according to various storage conditions. Based on our results, both the post-mortem delay and the delay before analysis should be reduced whenever possible to avoid changes in MetHb. If the analysis is delayed for a short period of time (two weeks), the blood sample taken at autopsy should not be frozen but collected in EDTA preservative and stored under refrigeration (4-6°C) until analysis. If the analysis is delayed for a longer period (more than two weeks), the blood sample should be frozen with cryoprotectant at -80°C or -196°C.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.12.009 | DOI Listing |
J Med Biochem
September 2024
University of Verona, Section of Clinical Biochemistry and School of Medicine, Verona, Italy.
Background: Minimizing air aspiration by carefully filling blood gas syringes is crucial to prevent air contamination from causing undesirable variations in gasses and other molecules. While some previous studies investigated this aspect, these are now outdated and only analyzed a limited number of blood gas parameters. Thus, we investigated the effects air contamination in the syringe using a modern blood gas analyzer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPan Afr Med J
December 2024
Al Jalila Children's Hospital, Dubai Health, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Methemoglobinemia (MetHb) is a life-threatening condition that reduces the oxygen-carrying ability of hemoglobin. Acquired methemoglobinemia usually results from exposure to specific oxidizing agents. Symptoms and complications depend on the MetHb level, which can sometimes be fatal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScand J Clin Lab Invest
December 2024
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark.
Venous blood is considered an acceptable alternative to arterial blood for assessment of metabolic acid-base disorders. Also, venous sampling using lithium-heparin (Li-Hep) tubes is advantageous to arterial sampling using PICO syringes, the risk of complications being lower. Usage of partly filled tubes without firm knowledge about the clinical consequences is, however, a pre-analytic consideration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFToxicol Rep
December 2024
Department of Emergency Medicine, Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Tamil Nadu, India.
Introduction: Methemoglobinemia is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin. With the increasing popularity of natural and herbal biopesticides, there is a growing risk of exposure to substances that can induce this dyshemoglobinemia. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing and promptly treating methemoglobinemia in the context of biopesticide exposure, a concern relevant to various healthcare professionals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth
December 2024
Service d'Anesthésie-Réanimation, hôpital Laënnec, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nantes, France. Electronic address:
Objectives: Hemolysis is a contributor to CS-AKI. Biochemistry analyzers provide a hemolysis index to quantify in vitro hemolysis, a condition that can, for example, affect the accuracy of potassium concentration measurements. We aimed to assess whether the postoperative plasma level of the hemolysis index (HI) could aid the early recognition of patients at risk for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) and also to evaluate other hemolysis indicators: plasma carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and methemoglobin (MetHb).
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