Viscosity, Plasma
General Information
Lab Name
Viscosity, Plasma
Lab Code
PLVISG
Epic Name
Viscosity, Plasma
Description
Viscosity is the property of fluids to resist flow. Serum, plasma or whole blood viscosity measurements can be useful in patients with hyperviscosity syndromes due to multiple myeloma or Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. Results are reported as a relative viscosity to water, where normal serum and plasma have a relative viscosity of up to 1.6. Although viscosities >1.6 are abnormal, hyperviscosity syndromes are rarely present unless the relative viscosity is >4.0 (approximately). The most common cause of serum hyperviscosity is the presence of large concentrations of IgM monoclonal proteins, and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia accounts for 80% to 90% of symptomatic hyperviscosity cases. Hyperviscosity syndrome can also occur in multiple myeloma patients, and, rarely, in patients with rheumatoid factors and other aggregating proteins.
References
Chandler WL and Schmer G, Evaluation of a new dynamic viscometer for measuring the viscosity of whole blood and plasma, Clin Chem (1986) 32:505.
Components
| Code | Name |
|---|---|
| PLVIS | Viscosity, Plasma |
| PLVISM | Viscosity Method, Plasma |
Interpretation
Method
Laboratory developed method to measure the viscosity of serum, plasma, fluid or whole blood samples using a dynamic viscometer (Sonoclot II Surgical Analyzer).
Reference Range
See individual components
Interferences and Limitations
Samples with cryoglobulins may have a falsely depressed result if the sample has not been processed as a cryoglobulin.
Guidelines
Ordering & Collection
Specimen Type
Collection
3 mL blood in LAVENDER TOP tube.
If Clinician suspects patient has a cryoglobulin, contact Immunology Lab 206 598-6149 for special handling instruction
Quantity
requested: 1 mL plasma
minimum: 0.5 mL plasma
Processing
Refrigerate plasma
Outside Laboratory: Centrifuge, remove plasma, Aliquot 1 mL, (minimum 0.5 mL). Refrigerate plasma. Frozen samples are suboptimal but accepted.
Performance
LIS Dept Code
Immunology (IMM)
Performing Location(s)
| UW-MT |
Immunology
206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room NW220, |
|---|
Frequency
Monday-Friday
Available STAT?
No