pH and pCO₂, in Capillary Blood from the Ear-lobe

Abstract

Torjussen, W. & Nitter-Hauoe, S. pH and Co₂, in Capillary Blood from the Ear-lobe. Scand. J. din. Lab. Invest. 19 79–81, 1967. pH and pCO₂, of 21 simultaneously drawn blood samples from the femoral artery and ear-lobe have been compared, using the micro-method of Astrup. No significant differences are found between the acid-base parameters of arterial blood and capillary blood from the earlobe, though there seems to be a tendency to higher pH and lower pCO₂, in capillary blood.

A short survey of some of the literature concerning other investigations in this field is given, dealing with the question whether the finger tip or the ear-lobe is the better source of capillary blood. According to the present authors, capillary blood from the ear-lobe is preferable.

Bleeding should be sufficient to fill the glass capillaries without any difficulty.