Boundary-layer oxygen depletion in blood gas analysis.
When O2 is withdrawn from blood by diffusion through a membrane and an O2-depleted boundary layer is formed, it is suggested that the depletion can cause significant dissociation of oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) in this layer. The resulting nonlinear relation between net diffusive flux of O2 through the membrane and the blood PO2 should be observable with membrane systems having a sufficiently high permeability to O2. Evidence for this suggestion is presented from in vitro experiments using a mass spectrometer to analyze the O2 flux through membrane systems. A theoretical model of HbO2 dissociation in the depleted boundary layer of blood that explains these results qualitatively is developed to yield quantitative predictions found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental observations. The effect was seen to be of significance for membrane systems with O2-sampling rates of about 2 X 10(-9) ml. s-1. Torr-1 and over; so if such systems are to be used for the analysis of blood PO2, the phenomenon must be taken into account.
D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010313:Partial Pressure
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010100:Oxygen