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Carboxyhemoglobin, arterial
Test CodeACOHG
Alias/See Also
Carboxy Hgb, arterial; %COHb
Preferred Specimen
Lithium heparinized or Sodium heparinized whole blood in a syringe
Minimum Volume
60 ul
Other Acceptable Specimens
Lithium heparinized (light green top) or Sodium heparinized (dark green top) whole blood
EDTA whole blood (Lav top)
EDTA whole blood (Lav top)
Instructions
Samples should be obtained from an arterial line or arterial puncture. Care should be take to prevent the introduction of air into the sample when it is drawn. When using a syringe, expel all air bubbles from the syringe, then cap and seal the end of the syringe.
Transport Container
Collection container
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Deliver immediately to the laboratory.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Any specimen other than heparinized (Li or Na) or EDTA anti-coagulated whole blood. Any clotted or hemolyzed specimen.
Reference Range
0.0 - 4.0%
Clinical Significance
Carboxyhemoglobin is a stable complex of carbon monoxide and hemoglobin that forms in red blood cells when carbon monoxide is inhaled or produced in normal metabolism. Large quantities of it hinder delivery of oxygen to the body. Tobacco smoking (through carbon monoxide inhalation) raises the blood levels of COHb by a factor of several times from its normal concentrations.
Performing Laboratory
Performed at Shady Grove Medical Center Only. Will be transported to SGMC STAT at room temp (when ordered at other locations).
