Viscosity, Plasma
General Information
- Lab Name
- Viscosity, Plasma
- Lab Code
- PLVISG
- Epic Ordering
- 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.
- Synonyms
- 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.
- 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.
- Guidelines
Ordering & Collection
- Specimen Type
- Plasma
- 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
- Handling Instructions
- Quantity
-
requested: 1 mL plasma
minimum: 0.5 mL plasma
Processing
- 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
206-520-4600Clinical Lab, Room NW220,
University of Washington Medical Center,
1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195 - Frequency
- Monday-Friday
- Available STAT?
- No
Billing & Coding
- CPT codes
- 85810
- LOINC
- 4691-2
- Interfaced Order Code
- PLVIS