Problems associated with routine PIXE analysis in quantifying elemental concentrations of leukocytes from Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery patients

Whole blood from patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) operations was separated into leukocyte subfractions of polymorphonuclearcytes (PMN) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Blood samples were collected and analyzed at various timepoints to determine the elemental composition to provide a better understanding of recovery mechanisms and to indicate complications that may occur post-operatively. Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) using the University of Surrey microprobe was employed to determine the concentrations of a range of elements. Accurate two-dimensional PIXE analysis however, requires knowledge of the sample matrix composition. These samples, on the other hand, showed varying thickness, lacked matrix homogeneity and displayed non-uniform trace element distribution. This paper discusses the results and problems associated with routine PIXE analysis and demonstrates the potential ability of ion beam analysis (IBA) depth profiling software, previously unused in PIXE analysis, to model a RBS spectrum of inhomogeneous, multi-layered samples prior to performing PIXE analysis.