Validation of oxygen electrode for blood

Abstract

It appears that the oxygen electrode can be used with confidence in determining the blood oxygen tension. However, it is essential that measurements be obtained within a few minutes after the sample of blood is drawn. The interval of time between sampling and the determination of oxygen tension must be accurately controlled The high degree of correlation found for blood and gas mixtures of equal oxygen tensions permits the use of gas mixtures for calibration of the electrode. Oxygen tension of blood can be significantly lowered by metabolic processes. Sodium fluoride does not inhibit this source of error.