Rapid estimation of plasma pentobarbital levels by an enzyme immunoassay for barbiturates (EMIT).

The commercially available enzyme homogeneous immunoassay (EMIT) method for barbiturates was demonstrated to be useful in the assay for pentobarbital. The method is just as precise as a comparative gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) method but much faster. There appeared to be a slight positive proportional bias with the method when compared to expected values in plasma samples when using aqueous standards. The application of the method is limited to patients receiving pentobarbital as the only barbiturate. Values less than 10 m/L were not quantitated. The enzyme immunoassay in recommended for use in clinical laboratories when a rapid estimation of pentobarbital is required in monitoring patients undergoing high-dose pentobarbital therapy for minimizing brain damage due to head trauma of stroke.