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Osmotic error in erythrocyte volume determinations
Author(s) -
Beautyman William,
Bills Terry
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830120409
Subject(s) - hematocrit , coulter counter , plasma volume , volume (thermodynamics) , plasma osmolality , chemistry , chromatography , medicine , biology , physics , thermodynamics , microbiology and biotechnology , vasopressin
Because of osmotic effects erythrocytes suspended in their native plasma do not have the same volume as the same erythrocytes suspended in Isoton. The discrepancy varies depending upon the osmolality and composition of the native plasma and the length of time the cells have been suspended in Isoton. Consequently, the MCV recorded in an electronic particle counter (Coulter in this case) may differ markedly from the true in vivo MCV. A similar error affects the Coulter hematocrit, which is calculated from the MCV and the erythrocyte count. This matrix effect should be taken into account in any laboratory quality assurance program.