Elemental Testing Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in Clinical Laboratories.

TitleElemental Testing Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in Clinical Laboratories.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsYang HS, LaFrance DR, Hao Y
JournalAm J Clin Pathol
Volume156
Issue2
Pagination167-175
Date Published2021 07 06
ISSN1943-7722
KeywordsHumans, Laboratories, Spectrophotometry, Atomic
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This review aims to describe the principles underlying different types of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and major technical advancements that reduce spectral interferences, as well as their suitability and wide applications in clinical laboratories.

METHODS: A literature survey was performed to review the technical aspects of ICP-MS, ICP-MS/MS, high-resolution ICP-MS, and their applications in disease diagnosis and monitoring.

RESULTS: Compared to the atomic absorption spectrometry and ICP-optical emission spectrometry, ICP-MS has advantages including improved precision, sensitivity and accuracy, wide linear dynamic range, multielement measurement capability, and ability to perform isotopic analysis. Technical advancements, such as collision/reaction cells, triple quadrupole ICP-MS, and sector-field ICP-MS, have been introduced to improve resolving power and reduce interferences. Cases are discussed that highlight the clinical applications of ICP-MS including determination of toxic elements, quantification of nutritional elements, monitoring elemental deficiency in metabolic disease, and multielement analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: This review provides insight on the strategies of elemental analysis in clinical laboratories and demonstrates current and emerging clinical applications of ICP-MS.

DOI10.1093/ajcp/aqab013
Alternate JournalAm J Clin Pathol
PubMed ID33978166
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