Test Results For:
Pleural Fluid Chemistry
Test Overview
- Test Name
-
Pleural Fluid Chemistry
- Test Code
- PFCHEM
Short Description
PFCHEM
Test Name
Pleural Fluid Chemistry
Test Code
PFCHEM
Category
Biochemistry
TAT
Main Lab:
12
Hour(s)
Family Site:
<12hrs
Specimen(s)
1 x Pleural Fluid - 5 mL Steril container - Red - Fluid
Specimen Type
Fluid
Specimen Format
Steril container
Specimen Colour
Red
Specimen Volume
5 mL
Sampling Order
0
Origin
Pleural Fluid
Collection Time after baseline
-
Transport Temperature
15-25°C
Accepted Other Specimens
-
TAT
Main Lab:
12
Hour(s)
Family Site:
<12hrs
Test Stability
Room Temp:
7 Day(s)
2–8°C:
4 Day(s)
Clinical Interest
Protein measurement in pleural fluid is an essential diagnostic test in the evaluation of pleural effusions. These are abnormal accumulations of fluid in the pleural cavity, which can result from a variety of pathologies, ranging from infections to malignant tumours and systemic diseases. The concentration of protein in the pleural fluid classifies the effusion as transudate or exudate.
Transudative effusions: Generally caused by systemic factors that influence fluid balance, such as heart failure or cirrhosis. They have a low protein content in the pleural fluid.
Exudative effusions: Caused by local factors, such as inflammation, infection or malignancy, resulting in high levels of protein in the pleural fluid.
According to Light's criteria, an effusion is classified as exudative if at least one of the following conditions is met:
- Pleural fluid protein to serum protein ratio > 0.5.
- Pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to serum LDH ratio > 0.6.
- Pleural fluid LDH is greater than two-thirds of the upper limit of normal for serum LDH.
Clinical Information Required
-
Patient Collection Note
-
LOINC Code
-
Outwork
Yes