How does polycythemia vera affect citrate concentration in blood coagulation tests?
Understand the Problem
The question involves understanding the effects of polycythemia vera on blood coagulation, specifically how to adjust citrate concentration when testing for coagulation in patients with this condition.
Answer
Polycythemia vera decreases plasma volume, increasing citrate concentration in coagulation tests.
Polycythemia vera decreases the plasma volume in a blood sample, leading to an excessive citrate concentration when standard citrate volumes are used.
Answer for screen readers
Polycythemia vera decreases the plasma volume in a blood sample, leading to an excessive citrate concentration when standard citrate volumes are used.
More Information
Polycythemia vera, characterized by high hematocrit, leads to a high ratio of citrate to plasma, as citrate binds calcium ions crucial for the clotting process, elevated citrate gives false prolonged clotting times.
Tips
A common mistake is not adjusting the citrate concentration, which leads to inaccurate coagulation test results in patients with polycythemia vera.
Sources
- Specimen Collection: HCT over 55% - The Fritsma Factor - fritsmafactor.com
- Effect on Routine and Special Coagulation Testing Values of Citrate - academic.oup.com
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