Response-to-comments about: "Is it really the method for carbon dioxide determination in human postmortem cardiac gas samples using Headspace-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry valid?" from T. Saffaj and B. Ihssane

Abstract

Saffaj et al. recently criticized our method of monitoring carbon dioxide in human postmortem cardiac gas samples using Headspace-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. According to the authors, their demonstration, based on the latest SFSTP guidelines (established after 2007) fitted for the validation of drug monitoring bioanalytical methods, has put in evidence potential errors. However, our validation approach was built using SFSTP guidelines established before 2007. We justify the use of these guidelines because of the post-mortem context of the study (and not clinical) and the gaseous state of the sample (and not solid or liquid). Using these guidelines, our validation remains correct.

Keywords: Accuracy profile; Carbon dioxide; Gaseous biological matrices; Headspace gas extraction.