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Distinguishing Transudate vs Exudate in Pleural, Pericardial & Peritoneal Fluids

Purpose: To decide if the body fluid is a transudate or exudate.

Description

Body fluids are often initially classified as an exudate or as a transudate. Transudates are seen in heart failure and other abnormalities of tissue pressure, such as low oncotic pressure. Exudates are seen in inflammatory, traumatic and neoplastic disorders.


Test

Transudate

Exudate

LD of body fluid

< 200 U/L

>= 200 U/L

ratio LD in body fluid to serum

< 0.6

>= 0.6

total protein in body fluid

< 3 g/dL

>= 3 g/dL

ratio total protein in body fluid to serum

< 0.5

>= 0.5

specific gravity of body fluid

< 1.016

>= 1.016

serum to ascites albumin gradient

> 1.1 g/dL

<= 1.1 g/dL

cholesterol of body fluid

< 45 mg/dL

>= 45 mg/dL

 

where:

• ratio LD = (LD in the body fluid) / (LD in the serum)

• ratio total protein = (total protein in the body fluid) / (total protein in serum)

• the serum-to-ascites albumin gradient = (serum albumin) - (ascitic fluid albumin)

 


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10