Selected Tests (ESR, RC, OFT) Flashcards
rate at which red blood cells sediment in one hour (distance the RBCs settle in a given interval of time); reflects some disease states
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
What usually contributes to ESR?
increases in plasma fibrinogen, immunoglobulins and other acute-phase proteins
changes in red cell shape or numbers
Why is ESR known?
to detect inflammation that may be caused by infection, cancer, or autoimmune disease
to follow progress of diseased state or monitor the effectiveness of treatment
T or F: ESR is a non-specific test
TRUE (presence not severity; monitors disease activity not diagnostic, no specific portion of where infection is)
How does ESR work?
anticoagulated blood is allowed to stand in a narrow vertical position undisturbed for a period of time; RBC sediments because higher density than plasma
unit of esr
mm/hr
this occurs in the first 10-15 minutes (1st); RBC piling up
stage of aggregation
other name of aggregation stage
rouleaux formation
What causes rouleaux formation?
alteration of charges on RBC surface (negatively charged) causes packing
the increased levels of fibrinogen and immunoglobulins produced during inflammation decreases negative charge of RBCs (zeta potential) to keep them apart
less negative cells sediment more rapidly than single cells
What comes after aggregation
sedimentation (occurs in the next 30-40 minutes); depends on length of tube
Sedimentation is the stage wherein?
RBCs actual falling in which sedimentation occurs at a constant rate
Stage of ESR which occurs in final 10 minutes
Packing/Stationary phase (slower rate of falling occurs due to overcrowding)
Plasma factors affecting esr
increased esr (presence of fibrinogen, globulins, cholesterol) decreased esr (albumin and lecithin)
RBC factors affecting esr
^weight of cell aggregate ^sedimentation rate inverseley prop to surface area
size: increased esr (macrocytic RBC, rouleaux; decreased SA to volume ratio; larger size = more rouleaux formation)
decreased esr (anisocytosis)
number: increased esr (fewer rbc ie anemia)
decreased esr (abnormal or irregular cell shape)
Mechanical/technical factors affecting esr
increased esr (tilted esr tube, elevated room temp) decreased esr (short esr tubes, low room temp, delay in test performance, clotted and hemolyzed blood sample, excess anticoagulant, bubbles in tube)
anticoagulant/vacutainer tubes used in esr
EDTA (lavender:chelates the calcium molecules in blood)
heparin (green: inactivates thrombin and activated factor x)
citrate (black: calcium chelation)
steps involved in wintrobe method
→ Collect blood with anticoagulant EDTA
→ Draw blood using long stem pipette
→ Fill Wintrobe tube up to 100mm mark (should have no bubbles)
→ Place in a vertical support (slanting increases ESR)
→ Read after 1 hour by measuring length of plasma column
Why is wintrobe method only used for demonstration purposes?
short length of tubes that may lead to underestimation of ESR
Normal ranges in wintrobe method
men (0-10 mm/hr; average : 5 mm/hr)
women (0-15 mm/hr; average: 10 mm/hr)
children (1-13 mm/hr; average: 7 mm/hr)
Steps invovled in WESTERGREN METHOD
→ Load 2 mL of venous blood into a tube containing 0.5 mL of sodium citrate
→ Draw blood into a Westergren-Katz tube to the 200 mm mark
→ Allow to stand vertically for 1 hour at room temperature
What happens if westergren-katz tube with blood is stored longer than 2 hours at room temp/ 6 hours at 4C)?
increases ESR
Normal ranges in WESTERGREN method
Men (<50 yrs: 0-10 mm/hr; >50 yrs: 0-20 mm/hr)
women (<50 yrs: 0-20 mm/hr; >50 yrs: 0-30 mm/hr)
children (0-20 mm/hr)
(see table comparing wintrobe and westergren)
(see table comparing wintrobe and westergren)
Automated ESR analyzers
Sediko M-10 Automatic ESR Analyzer
DragonMed 2010-ESR Analyzer
Dispette 2-ESR Test Kit
instrument controlled by a microprocessor and exclusively employed for analysis of ESR
DragonMed 2010-ESR Analyzer (constantly and simultaneous scans 10 test tubes, results available in 30 minutes)
incorporates many safety features such as overflow chamber and a pierceable filling chamber cap designed to prevent spillage of blood during use and disposal
Dispette 2-ESR Test Kit