A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Carbon Dioxide, Serum

Message
Keep specimen tightly sealed during transport and storage.


Test Code
CO2


Alias/See Also
Epic: LAB55

Bicarbonate


Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL




Minimum Volume

0.10 mL




Other Acceptable Specimens

Specimen Type: Plasma
Collection Container: Green top (Lithium heparin)




Instructions
  1. Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection. 
  2. Keep tightly capped to prevent evaporation of CO2.


Transport Container
Original collection tube (do not aliquot)


Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 2 weeks




Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, QNS, severely hemolyzed samples 




Methodology

PEP Carboxylase



Setup Schedule

Daily




Report Available

Same day




Reference Range
22 - 29 mEg/L


Clinical Significance
Carbon dioxide and phosphoenyl pyruvate (PEP) are converted to oxalacetate and phosphate catalyzed by PEP carboxylase. Oxalacetate is then reduced to malate while NADH is oxidized. The resulting decrease in absorbance is measured at 404nm and is proportional to the CO2 content in the sample.


Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031



Last Updated: June 1, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, March 6, 2023


The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.