Clinical applications of gas chromatographic/mass spectrometer/computer systems

Abstract

Gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer/computer systems can be used to quantify a wide variety of compounds of clinical interest. A quadrupole instrument operated in the chemical ionization (Cl) mode was used in these studies. Because of the sensitivity and specificity of selective ion detection, it is possible to make measurements routinely in the nanogram to picogram range, with 0.1-1.0 ml samples of plasma and 1-5 ml samples of urine. Internal standards, preferably stable isotope labeled compounds, were added to the biological samples before isolation was begun. We describe clinical applications of these procedures to problems in toxicology, pharmacokinetics, and perinatal pharmacology.