Oxygen uptake and change in carbon dioxide tension in human blood stored at 37 C

Abstract

The changes in Po 2 and Pco 2 in human blood samples stored at 37 C were measured. In some samples NaF was added. The mean Po 2 decay of samples having a Po 2 higher than 150 mm Hg was 2.7 mm Hg/min. This corresponded to an O 2 consumption (Vo 2 ) of 8.5 x 10 -5 ml/ml per min. When NaF was added Vo 2 was only 6.3 x 10 -5 ml/ml per min. The rate of increase of Pco 2 was .11 mm Hg/min in samples without NaF. After NaF had been added no change in Pco 2 was observed; the reasons for this finding are discussed. Some of the causes of the changes in Po 2 and Pco 2 have been studied. The storage temperature affects Po 2 by .063 mm Hg/min per °C, and the hematocrit by 3.8 x 10 -5 mm Hg/min per % Hct. For Pco 2 , these effects are .003 mm Hg per min per °C and 9.8 x 10 -5 mm Hg/min per % Hct, respectively. The reticulocyte and white cell counts are shown to have an essential role in the rate of change of Po 2 and Pco 2 . blood metabolism; blood storage; oxygen consumption; CO 2 production; Po 2 , Pco 2 measurement; hematocrit Submitted on July 24, 1964