Pathology In Practice June 2026

BLOOD SCIENCES 1.4

Peak hyperinfammatory phase with maximum fibrinogen and cloting factors

1.3 Consumption phase 1.2 Early acute phase

(NIHR ARC West, 2022) www.arc-w.nihr. ac.uk/news/inflammatory-markers- explained/

15 Norcliffe D, Manuel D, Benson B. CRP, ESR and PV inflammation markers – a comparative review. Pathology in Practice. 2025;26(3):14-18

16 Hutchinson RM, Eastham RD. A comparison of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plasma viscosity in detecting changes in plasma proteins. J Clin Pathol. 1977;30(4):345-349. doi:10.1136/jcp.30.4.345

1.1 1.0 0 10

Normal PV:SV ration 1.06 20

Bi-phasic trend of PV:SV during sepsis and DIC. Analysing plasma and serum viscosity

results, and utilising the PV:SV ratio, as a routine clinical sepsis pathway, is as a practical, simple and informative laboratory process. Especially when used as an early suspicion of disseminated intervascular coagulation, reinforcing fibrinogen assessment while enabling closer monitoring across the evolving stages of sepsis. Plasma and serum viscosity testing

will play a crucial role in both diagnostic precision and patient management in different stages of sepsis. The application of a PV:SV ratio analysis as a routine sepsis evaluation will direct accurate treatment, and regular PV:SV ratio monitoring will drive rapid sepsis-targeted care resulting in a significantly improved patient outcome.

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PPi

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Organ dysfunction Disseminated intravascular

coagulation (DIC) 30 40 Time from sepsis initiation (hours) 50 60

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David Norcliffe, MMedSci, CSci (retired) FIBMS (retired) DM David Manuel, BSc (Hons) Health Science, SP & IP (Prescribing), PGCert (Advanced Practice) Bernie Benson, Founder and Managing Director of Benson Viscometers

Article supplied by Benson Viscometers www.bensonviscometers.com

PV:SV ratio

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