Erythrocyte-sedimentation rate before and after in-vitro defibrination: A rapid and simple method for increasing its specificity.

The erythrocyte-sedimentation rate (E.S.R.) was measured before and after in-vitro defibrination in 107 patients with high E.S.R.S. The reduction in E.S.R. on defibrination correlates with the fibrinogen level while the post-defibrination E.S.R. correlates with the globulin level. The ratio between the post-defibrination E.S.R. and the pre-defibrination, or standard, E.S.R. varies with different diseases; it is highest when an excess of globulins is the cause of the high E.S.R. and lowest when there is an excess of fibrinogen. Measurement of the post-fibrination E.S.R. is quick and easy and may help in the initial investigation of a high E.S.R.