Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

When whole blood is allowed to settle. Sedimentation of Erythrocytes will occur. The Rate at which the Red cell fall is know as the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Cells was accomplished by Centrifugation while in case of ESR. Column of Red Cells settles by gravity.

For the Laboratory determination of ESR three Method are used………

1)      Westergren Method

2)      Wintrobe Method

3)      Landau Method.

Specimen : -

 EDTA  anti coagulated blood determination of ESR should be done within 2 hr after blood Collection.

 Westergren Method

The westerngren Method of ESR determination is more sensitive and give higher values then the wintrobe method because it uses Compratively longer and narrow tubes for measurements. 

RQUIRMENT :-

         

1)      Sodium chloride solution (0.85% Nacl) aquous.

2)      Wasterngren tube calibration in millimeter and suction device to fill

3)      Rack for holding wasterngren tube

4)      Timer or watch.

Procedure  : -

1)      0.5 ml of 0.85% Sodium Chloride solution is taken in a plane test tube.

2)       2 ml of well mixed EDTA anti coagulated blood is added to the test tube and gently mixed by swirling mixed through for 2 minutes.

3)      Wasterngren tube rack is checked it must be on plane. Surface away from air draft.

4)      The wasterngren tube is filled exactly to the “O” marked making  certain that there is no air bubble in the blood column drawn through the tube.

5)      The tube is placed on the stand , making sure that the tube is ubright and fits in to the grove provided for it.

6)      The tube is allowed to stand undisturbed for exactly 60 minutes.

7)      The lavle is noted to which the Redx Cells column gas fallen in mm/first hr