Change in oxygen tension of shed blood at various temperatures

Abstract

The change in oxygen tension (pO2) of shed blood was determined polarographically for 2 hr after shedding at temperatures of 37.5, 22—24, and 1 C. The results show that blood pO2 decreases progressively after shedding, that the decrease is especially marked in blood of high initial pO 2 values, and that cooling of the sample slows but does not stop the metabolic processes leading to oxygen utilization. The results reaffirm the need for rapid analysis of blood for pO 2 . polarographic pO 2 analysis; temperature effect; blood metabolism Submitted on March 6, 1964