Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Flashcards
What is the purpose of ordering ESR along with other tests?
Detect and monitor the course of inflammatory conditions such as, rheumatoid arthritis, infections, or certain malignancies
What diseases does ESR help in the diagnosis of?
Temporal arteritis
Polymyalgia rheumatica
In what conditions is ESR elevated?
Plasma cell myeloma
Pregnancy
Anemia
Older age
Is ESR recommended as a screening test to detect inflammatory conditions in asymptomatic individuals? Why?
No because of its low specificity and sensitivity
What is the ESR affected by?
RBC
Plasma
Mechanical and technical factors
What is the result of the formation of rouleaux?
RBC settle more rapidly
What macromolecules can produce the formation of rouleaux?
Fibrinogen
Beta-globulins
Pathologic immunoglobulins
What are altered during a rouleaux formation?
Plasma fibrinogen
Globulins
What is the most commonly used method for ESR today?
Modified Westergren method
What is the advantage of using the modified Westergren method?
Allows the detection of highly elevated ESRs
What is the anticoagulant of choice in erythrocyte sedimentation rate?
EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
What is the length of the Westergren tube?
200 mm
What is the size of the bore of the Westergren tube?
2.55 mm
How long should you stand the Westergren tube for and at what temperature?
60 minutes at room temperature
What was the specimen used when the Wintrobe method was first introduced?
Oxalate-anti-coagulated whole blood
What is the length of the Wintrobe tube?
115 mm
What is the current specimen of choice for Wintrobe ESR?
EDTA-treated or citrated whole blood