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

Abstract

The changes in Po2 and Pco2 in human blood samples stored at 37 C were measured. In some samples NaF was added. The mean Po2 decay of samples having a Po2 higher than 150 mm Hg was 2.7 mm Hg/min. This corresponded to an O2 consumption (Vo2) of 8.5 x 10-5 ml/ml per min. When NaF was added Vo2was only 6.3 x 10-5 ml/ml per min. The rate of increase of Pco2 was .11 mm Hg/min in samples without NaF. After NaF had been added no change in Pco2 was observed; the reasons for this finding are discussed. Some of the causes of the changes in Po2 and Pco2 have been studied. The storage temperature affects Po2 by .063 mm Hg/min per °C, and the hematocrit by 3.8 x 10-5 mm Hg/min per % Hct. For Pco2, 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 Po2 and Pco2. blood metabolism; blood storage; oxygen consumption; CO2 production; Po2, Pco2 measurement; hematocrit Submitted on July 24, 1964