Automated determination of carboxyhemoglobin contents in autopsy materialsusing head-space gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

To establish a method for the routine analysis of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in autopsy materials including those which have undergone postmortem change s, e.g. thermo-coagulation, putrifaction and contamination, an automated he ad-space gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was utilized . The procedure consisted of preparation of the sample in a vial and a carb on monoxide (CO) saturated sample, for estimation of hemoglobin content, in another vial, the addition of n-octanol, potassium ferricyanide and an int ernal standard (t-butanol), GC separation and determination of CO using a G C/MS system equipped with an automated head-space gas sampler. The method w as practical not only with the blood and bone marrow aspirates to confirm t he findings on the CO-oximeter system, but also with the thermo-coagulated and putrified blood. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights rese rved.