Fluorescence and phosphorescence characteristics of anticoagulants: A new approach to direct measurement of drugs in whole blood.

Fluorimetric and phosphorimetric excitation and emission peaks and limiting detectable concentrations and phosphorimetric decay times are given for warfarin, dicumarol, diphenandione, phenindione and tromexan. Known concentrations of warfarin, a highly fluorescent compound, and dicumarol, a highly phosphorescent compound, are directly measured in the complex biochemical system of whole blood. Excellent recoveries of warfarin and dicumarol in the concentration range of 0.1 to 10 mg% in whole blood were achieved.