Determination of Packed Cell Volume and Calculation of the Absolute Values

[ps2id id=’background’ target=”/]

BACKGROUND

The volume occupied by the red cells when the centrifugation is performed for the anticoagulated blood. This is also called as hematocrit and expressed in percentage of original volume of blood or as decimal fraction. There are two methods to estimate PCV- macro method (Wintrobe method), micro method (microhematocrit method). Micro method is preferred as it is rapid, convenient and requires less amount of blood.¹

The aim of the experiment is determination of packed cell volume and calculation of the absolute values.

[ps2id id=’requirements’ target=”/]

REQUIREMENTS

Subjects:          Human

Apparatus:      Micro hematocrit centrifuge

Capillary hematocrit tubes

Tube sealant

Micro hematocrit reader

Wintrobe tube

Pasteur pipette

Centrifuge

[ps2id id=’procedure’ target=”/]

PROCEDURE

Micro method

The capillary tube is filled with blood (2/3 or ¾). Seal the other end with plastic sealant. Place these tubes in a centrifuge so as to counterbalance the grooves and opposite to each other. Centrifuge at 12000 g for 5 minutes. Remove the tubes and check for red cells at the bottom. Reading is recorded using micro hematocrit reader.²

Macro method

The blood sample is mixed thoroughly. Draw the blood in Pasteur pipette and fill the wintrobe tube from the bottom upto 100 mark. The blood sample is centrifuged at 2300 g for 30 minutes. The reading is done for the column of the cells and recorded.³

The hematocrit is expressed as percentage or as a fraction of the total volume of blood sample.

[ps2id id=’conclusion’ target=”/]

CONCLUSION

The use of PCV is to diagnose anemia, polycythemia, estimation of red cell indices, checking hemoglobin values. PCV is high in dehydration , shock, burns, polycythemia.

[ps2id id=’references’ target=”/][ps2id id=’1′ target=”/]

REFERENCES

1. https://www.bioscience.pk/component/k2/item/780-what-is-packed-cell-volume-pcv-or-hematocrit-uses-and-methods-for-estimation-of-packed-cell-volume-pcv?Itemid=1857. Accessed on 05 April 2018.
   
2. https://www.bioscience.pk/component/k2/item/782-micro-method-wintrobe-method-for-estimation-of-packed-cell-volume-pcv-or-hematocrit. Accessed on 05 April 2018.
   
3. https://www.bioscience.pk/component/k2/item/781-macro-method-wintrobe-method-for-estimation-of-packed-cell-volume-pcv-or-hematocrit? Itemid =1857. Accessed on 05 April 2018.