| 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 Monoxide
MessagePerforming Lab: Lakeview, Hudson, Regions,
Test Code
0445
Alias/See Also
Sunquest: COWB; Carboxyhemoglobin
CPT Codes
82375
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL Heparinized Whole Blood (Blood Gas Syringe)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Full, unopened Lithium Heparin (light green-top) on ICE, Heparinized Capillary
Instructions
Samples should be free of air bubbles, received on ice slush and run immediately. (Exceptions to the ice slush are samples received as long as they are received within 30 minutes of collection)
Hudson: specimens should be walked directly to the laboratory
Hudson: specimens should be walked directly to the laboratory
Transport Container
Blood Gas Syringe
Transport Temperature
Ice Slush
Specimen Stability
Ice Slush: 1 hour
Room Temperature: 30 minutes
Room Temperature: 30 minutes
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Room Temperature >30 minutes
Methodology
Electrode
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Same Day
Reference Range
Healthy Non-Smokers: 0.0 - 2.0%
Smokers: 5 - 6%
Critical Value: >=15%
Smokers: 5 - 6%
Critical Value: >=15%
Clinical Significance
Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) is hemoglobin covalently bound to carbon monoxide. Hemoglobin has over 200 times greater affinity for carbon monoxide than for oxygen. Hemoglobin bound to carbon monoxide is unavailable for oxygen transport, and high levels of carboxyhemoglobin result in hypoxia and cyanosis, and can be fatal.
