title: Self-prepared heparinized syringes for measuring ionized magnesium in critical care patients.
abstract: We have compared ionized magnesium assays in the Nova 8 electrolyte analyser using dry balanced heparinized syringes and self-prepared heparinized syringes. Thirty blood specimens were obtained into syringes either operator-prepared with liquid sodium heparin or commercially manufactured dry balanced heparinized syringes. There was a good correlation between results from the two syringes. The mean difference between sampling methods was 0.01 mmol litre-1 (95% confidence index -0.05 to 0.08 mmol litre-1). The correlations for sodium, potassium and ionized calcium assays were similarly close. The relationship between sampling methods was close enough to justify the clinical use of self-prepared syringes, with potential economies in clinical costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chantler
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cox
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000097:blood; D013594:Syringes
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin; D008274:Magnesium