Measurement of blood volume with an enriched stable isotope of chromium (53Cr) and isotope dilution by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

• Published in: Clinical chemistry (Baltimore, Md.) Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 71 - 73
• Main Authors: Veillon, C, Patterson, KY, Nagey, DA, Tehan, AM
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Am Assoc Clin Chem 01.01.1994; American Association for Clinical Chemistry
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blood Volume Determination - methods; Chromium Isotopes; Erythrocyte Volume; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - methods; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Hematocrit; Humans; Indicator Dilution Techniques; Male; Management. Prenatal diagnosis; Medical sciences; Plasma Volume; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Human; Biological fluid; Gas chromatography; Embryonic development; Pediatrics; Radiolabelling; Blood volume; Clinical biology; Fetal maturity; Mass spectrometry; Blood; Biological monitoring
• ISSN: 0009-9147; 1530-8561
• DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/40.1.71

We used an established isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method to measure blood volumes with an enriched stable isotope of chromium. The results were compared with those of the conventional method, which involves radioactive 51Cr. The two methods were compared simultaneously in two male subjects of different sizes, and essentially identical volumes were obtained. The isotope dilution method is insensitive to contamination with natural (unenriched) chromium and can be used to measure all of the stable isotopes of chromium. The method has potential applications in simultaneous erythrocyte survival studies. The absence of radioactivity makes possible an accurate means of studying blood volume changes in children and during pregnancy.