A Source of Error in the Cyanmethemoglobin Method of Determination of Hemoglobin Concentration in Blood Containing Carbon Monoxide

Abstract

The reaction of carbonmonoxyhemoglobin with conventional K3Fe(CN)6 containing solutions is much slower than the reaction with oxyhemoglobin. If this difference is not taken into consideration when determining total hemoglobin concentration, error, which may be as high as 30%, may be as high as 30%, may be introduced. The rates of reaction of oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin solutions are studied. The correct total hemoglobin concentration can be obtained on blood containing carbonmonoxyhemoglobin either by increasing the time before obtaining the optical density of the solution or by increasing the K3Fe(CN)6 concentration.