What is Plasma Viscometry

It is the measurement of the viscosity of plasma. The end result is a number - the PV, or Plasma Viscosity.

Interpretation of PV Results

Plasma Viscosity is a non-specific screening test used in diagnosing a host of disorders. Unlike other investigations performed for non-specific symptoms, viscosity results can be grouped into broad bands to give an indication of the underlying condition, as summarised below:

	PV range (mPa.s.) at 25ºC	PV range (mPa.s.) at 37ºC	Comments
Normal Range	1.40-1.75	1.05 - 1.30
Low results	< 1.40	< 1.05	Found in infants under 3 years old and patients with low immunoglobulin or fibrinogen levels.
High results	1.75 - 2.00	1.30 - 1.46	Chronic disorders e.g. infection, malignancy, vascular disease. Autoimmune such as rheumatic diseases.
Very high results	2.01 - 3.00	1.47 - 2.18	Suggestive of myeloma. IgG-paraproteins. High concentration of asymmetric paraproteins
Extremely high results	>3.00	> 2.18	Suggestive of Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia. Grossly raised IgM-paraproteins.

The above is a very basic summary and more information is available in the documents and web sites described in the Articles and Links sections.

Where is Plasma Viscosity used as a diagnostic tool

Chart : Customer reported usage of PV in screening tests

Comparison between PV and ESR

Please click here for a document comparing PV and ESR.

Please click here for another document reviewing the benefits our labs have found having converted from ESR to PV.

Please click here for an article from Pathology in Practice comparing PV and ESR

Please click here for a sample letter for a laboratory switching from ESR to PV.
Please feel free to use and amend this to suit your needs.

Benson Viscometers Limited	Viscometers of choice for monitoring all inflammatory conditions
What is Plasma Viscosity