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We spend too much time deliberating on COHb levels when all the clinical evidence relating to CO poisoning shows that levels are much less important than clinical assessment. Ref Dr M Hamilton Farrell (Whipps Cross Anaesthetist) as seen & heard at Focus 2002 I would also refer to a local protocol : http://www.flowforma.org/qmh/charts/med/co_poisoning/ffcopois.htm With best wishes Richard Biochemistry Department Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup, Kent DA14 6LT -----Original Message----- From: Guillain Mike (RTF) NHCT [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2002 11:01 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: COHb We often receive samples from GP's taken because the patient believes that they have a faulty flue, a common problem in rural Northumberland. The problem here is the time it takes for the patient to see the GP. The elimination half life for HbCO is about 250 minutes, breathing room air. So although the patient describes plausible symptoms the HbCO is often less than 5%. We have never encountered stability problems with delayed transit of the specimen, taken from patients. PM samples are a different storey. There is often significant anaerobic oxidation after death which may give rise to slight elevations in cadaveric blood samples. Mike Guillain Principal Biochemist Wansbeck General Hospital +44(0)1670529713 (voice) +44(0)8701358380 (fax) [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 20 June 2002 10:39 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: COHb Is there a time limit within which a sample taken for COHb should be analysed eg if a GP suspects CO poisoning and the sample takes a few hours to get to the lab in the van!? Thanks Rob L Dr Robert Lord Department of Clinical Biochemistry Rotherham District General Hospital Moorgate Road Oakwood Rotherham S60 2UD Tel 01709 820000 E mail [log in to unmask] ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/ ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/ ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/