Comparison of a high temperature torch integrated sample introduction system with a desolvation system for the analysis of microsamples through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

International audienceThis work describes for the first time the comparison of the analytical performances obtained with a high temperaturetorch integrated sample introduction system(hTISIS) against those foundwith a commercially availabledesolvation system (APEX) associated with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A doublepass spray chamber was taken as the reference system. Similar detection limits and sensitivities were obtainedin continuous injection mode at low liquid flow rates for the APEX and hTISIS operating at high temperatures.In contrast, in the air-segmented injection mode, the detection limits obtained with hTISIS at high temperatureswere up to 12 times lower than those found for the APEX. Regarding memory effects, wash out times wereshorter in continuous mode and peaks were narrower in air segmented mode for the hTISIS as compared tothe APEX. Non spectral interferences (matrix effects) were studied with 10percent nitric acid, 2percent methanol, for anICP multielemental solution and a hydro-organic matrix containing 70percent (v-v) acetonitrile in water,15 mmol Let8722;1 ammonium acetate and 0.5percent formic acid containing lanthanide complexes. In all the cases, matrixeffects were less severe for the hTISIS operating at 200 DC and the APEX than for the double pass spray chamber.Finally, two spiked reference materials (sea water and Antartic krill) were analyzed. The hTISIS operating at200 DC gave the best results compared to those obtained with the APEX and the double pass spray chamber. Inconclusion, despite the simplicity of the hTISIS, it provided, at low liquid flow rates, results similar to or betterthan those obtained with the by other sample introduction systems

Clinical presentation and outcome of venous thromboembolism in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a moderate risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but neither the clinical presentation nor the outcome of VTE in COPD patients is well known. The clinical presentation of VTE, namely pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and the outcome at 3 months (death, recurrent VTE or bleeding) were compared between 2,984 COPD patients and 25,936 non-COPD patients included in the RIETE (Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmb\uf3lica) registry. This ongoing international, multi-centre registry includes patients with proven symptomatic PE or DVT. PE was the more frequent VTE presentation in COPD patients (n = 1,761, 59%). PE presentation was more significantly associated with COPD patients than non-COPD patients (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.49-1.80). During the 3-month follow-up, mortality (10.8% versus 7.6%), minor bleeding (4.5% versus 2.3%) or first VTE recurrences as PE (1.5% versus 1.1%) were significantly higher in COPD patients than in non-COPD patients. PE was the most common cause of death. COPD patients presented more frequently with PE than DVT. It may explain the worse prognosis of COPD patients, with a higher risk of death, bleeding or VTE recurrences as PE compared with non-COPD patients. Further therapeutic options are needed