Role Of Vitreous Potassium Level In Estimating Postmortem Interval And The Factors Affecting It
13-15
Correspondence
Dr. Rajinderjit Singh Ahi
Assistant Professor,
Department of Biochemistry,
Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research,
Bathinda,India
Mobile: 9914118349
E.mail: rajindersahi@yahoo.co.in
Aim: The present study was conducted to assess the level of potassium in the vitreous fluid, to calculate the post mortem interval from it and to study the effects of environmental factors like temperature and humidity on it.
Material and Methods: 176 cases were included in the study. The vitreous fluid was taken from the left eye just before the commencement of autopsy and was assessed for potassium level. The potassium level was determined by flame photometry method. The post mortem interval (PMI) was then calculated by applying the Sturner equation.
Result: Level of potassium in vitreous was found to be increased significantly with increase in PMI. It was found that the vitreous humour potassium concentration was increasing in a linear fashion with increasing time since death (TSD) and this increase in the level was independent of the factors like environmental temperature and humidity.
Conclusion: Potassium level in the vitreous fluid increases significantly with increase in PMI and the environmental factors like temperature and humidity has no significant effect on the potassium levels in vitreous fluid.