Determination of Hematocrit Value

Hematocrit or erythrocyte volume of the compressed (packed cell volume, PCV) is the percentage volume of erythrocytes in the blood is compressed by playing at a certain speed and in a certain time. The purpose of this test is to determine the concentration of erythrocytes in the blood.

Based on the reproducible and simple, this examination is the most trustworthy among other checks, namely hemoglobin and erythrocyte count. Can be used as a simple filter test against anemia.

Hematocrit or PCV values ​​can be set using the automatic hematology analyzer or manually. Manually hematocrit measurement method known there are two, namely :

Methods makrohematokrit

At the macro method, as much as 1 ml blood samples (EDTA or heparin blood) were included in Wintrobe tubes measuring 110 mm long with a diameter of 2.5-3.0 mm and 0-10 mm scale. The tubes then were centrifuged for 30 minutes at 3,000 rpm. High erythrocyte column is the hematocrit value is expressed in%.

Methods mikrohematokrit

At the micro method, blood samples (capillary blood, blood EDTA, heparin blood or blood-potassium-ammonium oxalate) is inserted in a capillary tube having a length of 75 mm in diameter and 1 mm. Capillary tubes are used there are two kinds, namely containing heparin (marked red) for capillary blood samples (direct), and without anticoagulant (marked blue) blood to EDTA / heparin / ammonium-potassium-oxalate.

Examination procedures are: blood sample is inserted into the capillary tube until 2 / 3 the volume of the tube. One end of the tube is closed with putty (clay) and then centrifuged for 5 minutes at 15,000 rpm. High erythrocytecolumn were measured with a hematocrit reader, its value expressed in%.

Mikrohematokrit method is more widely used because in addition to quite a short time, blood samples required is also small and can be used for samples without anticoagulant that can be obtained directly.

Reference Values

Adult male : 40 - 52%

Adult women : 35-47%

Newborns : 44-72%

Children aged 1-3 years : 35-43%

Children aged 4-5 years : 31-43%

Children aged 6-10 years : 33-45%

Clinical Problems

Decreased levels: acute blood loss, anemia (aplastic, hemolytic, folic acid deficiency, pernicious, sideroblastik, sickle cell), leukemia (lymphocytic, myelogenous, monositik), Hodgkin's disease, limfosarkoma, organ malignancies, multiple myeloma, cirrhosis of the liver, protein malnutrition , deficiency of vitamins (thiamine, vitamin C), gastric or duodenal fistula, peptic ulcer, failure, chronic kidney, pregnancy, SLE. The influence of drugs: antineoplastic, antibiotics (chloramphenicol, penicillin), radioactive medicine.

Increased levels: dehydration / hypovolemia, severe diarrhea, polycythemia vera, eritrositosis, diabetic acidosis, pulmonary emphysema late stage, whereas cerebral ischemia, eclampsia, surgery, burns.

Factors that may affect the laboratory's findings :

If a blood sample taken at the arm that is attached intra-venous lines, tend to be low hematocrit values ​​due to hemodilution. Installation of rope tourniquet that is too long the potential to cause hemoconcentration, so that the hematocrit value can be increased. Capillary blood sampling: punctures lacking in so that the volume gained slightly and squeeze the blood must be squeezed-out, which pierced the skin is still damp with alcohol so that the diluted blood, clots occur in the blood drops because of slow work.