Elemental Testing Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in Clinical Laboratories

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.

Trends and Advances in Inductively Coupled Plasma Tandem Quadruple Mass Spectrometry (ICP-QMS/QMS) With Reaction Cell

“…The reason can be partly attributed to the fact that there are many reports on P, S, As, and Se, as shown in Fig. 4, for which the mass-shift mode using O2 as the cell gas is effective in the separation of the spectral interferences (e.g., 14 N 16 O 1 H + , 16 O2 + , 40 Ar 35 Cl + , and Ar2 + , respectively) from the measurement of these elements. Another reason can be attributed to the fact that old generation reaction cell ICP-MS instruments are sufficient for the analysis of some other elements.…”

Evaluation of blood and synthetic matrix-matched calibrations using manual and inline sample preparation methods

“…Advancements in this eld over the last decade have led to better understanding of how the association of metals may affect thyroid levels, prenatal exposures may lead to learning or social disabilities, the degradation of metal-on-metal implants changes over time, and increased blood lead levels may be correlated to multiple sclerosis patients. [9][10][11][12][13] Lead, cadmium, and mercury are well-known heavy metals, toxic to humans, with the severity dependent on the route and duration of exposure. Blood Pb measurements can be conducted to determine exposure levels, which will be indicative of acute and/or chronic exposure.…”

“…29,30 Concern regarding increased chromium, nickel, or cobalt levels within the body due to metal-on-metal implant degradation has led to the need for increased monitoring. 13,31 Manganese and selenium are typically measured in whole blood, whereas chromium, copper, iron, nickel, and zinc are typically measured in serum.…”

“…Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has become the preferred analytical technique for measuring biological samples due to superior detection limits, wide dynamic range, speed of analysis, and multi-element measurement capability as compared to other atomic spectroscopy techniques. 13,32 The analysis of whole blood by ICP-MS has been well characterized in the literature; however, the methods by which samples are prepared for analysis vary greatly. 1,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] A review of the literature by Ivanenko et al reported three main sample treatment techniques: decomposition by acid digestion, dilution with an acidic matrix, or dilution with an alkaline matrix.…”

“…Advancements in this field over the last decade have led to better understanding of how the association of metals may affect thyroid levels, prenatal exposures may lead to learning or social disabilities, the degradation of metal-on-metal implants changes over time, and increased blood lead levels may be correlated to multiple sclerosis patients. 9–13…”