ethanol in blood

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Reference interval

  • Not applicable.

Principle

The ALC pack is used to quantitatively measure ethyl alcohol in serum, plasma, & supernatants from precipitated whole blood, & to qualitatively detect ethyl alcohol in urine. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde, with the simultaneous reduction of nicotinamide- adenine dinucleotide (NAD). An alkaline pH & an aldehyde trapping agent force the reaction to one mole of NADH for each mole of alcohol present. The absorbance due to NADH (and thus the alcohol concentration) is determined using a two-filter (340-383 nm) endpoint technique.

Clinical significance

The ALC pack is used in the DuPont ACA to quantitatively measure ethyl alcohol in serum, plasma, & supernatants from precipitated whole blood. It is used to assess the physiological & psychological effects of ethanol.

80 mg/dL or 0.08% is legal level of intoxication.

Ethanol metabolism: 15-30 mg/dL/hr.

Increases

Specimen

When collecting blood alcohol, use a non-alcohol germicidal solution to cleanse the skin. The specimen tubes should be completely filled. Serum or plasma should be removed from the erythrocytes & either analyzed promptly or stored under refrigeration.

If reusable containers, syringes, & needles are employed, they must not be cleaned or stored with alcohol or other volatile solvents.

Blood specimens should be kept tightly stoppered & cannot be stored for more than 14 days prior to analysis.

More general terms

Additional terms

References

  1. ACA IV Discrete Clinical Analyzer Instrument Manual, Volume 1: Operation, DuPont Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1984.
  2. ACA IV Discrete Clinical Analyzer Instrument Manual, Volume 3B: Chemistry, DuPont Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1984.
  3. Ethanol, Serum or Plasma - Medical Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0090120.jsp
  4. Panel of 4 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0090131.jsp
  5. Panel of 32 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0091128.jsp
  6. Panel of 31 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0091177.jsp
  7. Panel of 14 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: http://www.aruplab.com/guides/ug/tests/0091530.jsp