Practical No 2

DETERMINATION OF PACKED CELL VOLUME (PCV)

(Hematocrit)

a) Principles

A sample of blood is centrifuged in a hematocrit tube. The RBCs are

packed towards the bottom of the tube by the centrifugal force, and
reading of the packed cells in percentage is taken.

b) Apparatus
1. Centrifuge machine.
2. Heparinized Capillary tubes (coated with heparin).
3. PCV scale (in the cover of PCV machine).
4. Sealing wax.
5. Cotton, Lancets, Alcohol swabs & Gloves.

10
C) Procedure
1. Collect blood into the Heparinized capillary tube having red sign
up to ¾.
2. Seal the other end of the filled tube with the sealing wax to a
depth of about 3 mm.
3. Place the tube in the corresponding numbered slot in the
centrifuge head leaving the sealed end outward.

4. Close the cover and set automatic switch to at least 5 minutes.

5. Remove the tube and read the volume of RBCs using the scale.
(Make the lower end of the RBCs at the 0 level - The upper end of
plasma at the 100 level)
 Read from 0 to the upper level of RBCs  this is the PCV%

11
 D) Normal value

These values may vary slightly among different laboratories

E) Student’s Result:
The PCV of my own blood is ______________________________________________

Comments (if any) ______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Dr. Amir Elhadi

Sig _______________ Date ____________

☻ Review questions☻
1. What is the clinical significance of hematocrit?
_______________________________________________________________

2. What elements form the above colored layer on the top of the packed cells?
_________________________________________________________________

3. Name the conditions in which PCV is raised and lowered?

_________________________________________________________________

4. What is the expected PCV in a patient of microcytic hypochromic anemia?

__________________________________________________________________

12