What is the best wavelength for the measurement of hemolysis index?

Background: Hemolysis is a common problem in the handling of serum specimens. The hemolysis index (HI) provides a warning of hemolysis in auto-analyzers. However, HI has not been standardized, and each laboratory's original method is applied. Especially, the wavelength used for HI measurement is different in each laboratory. Thus, we investigated the warning ability of HI at various wavelengths.

Methods: We selected 4 wavelength types, and each HI was measured and calculated (410 nm/HI-1, 451 nm/HI-2, 545 nm/HI-3, and 571 nm/HI-4). To compare the 4 HI types, we investigated the influence of 3 interference components using artificially hemolyzed specimens (AHSs). We also investigated both the relationship between HI and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and that between HI and 31 biochemical test values in AHSs.

Results: In the interference assessment, only HI-4 showed no influence on the 3 interference components. The correlation between Hb and HI-4 was very strong (r = 0.9987). A 1-unit increase in HI-4 corresponded to a 14.8-mg/dL increase in Hb.

Conclusion: We found the best wavelength for HI to be at or near 571 nm.