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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
09:12
Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry
Published on: January 12, 2018
The red cell indices. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow
1Department of Pathology, Millard Fillmore Hospitals, State University of New York, School of Medicine, Buffalo.
Clinics in Laboratory Medicine
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Classic red cell indices for anemia evaluation face technical variabilities. Newer indices offer improved diagnostic utility for differential anemia diagnosis, enhancing clinical usefulness in hematology.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Clinical Pathology
- Anemia Diagnostics
Background:
- Established red cell indices (mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) have been standard anemia evaluation tools since the 1930s.
- These classic indices were developed by Wintrobe for anemia diagnosis.
Observation:
- Technical variabilities have diminished the diagnostic utility of classic red cell indices.
- The literature on the diagnostic value of newer red cell indices is examined.
- Current hematology analyzers could incorporate novel indices.
Findings:
- Classic red cell indices exhibit technical variabilities impacting their diagnostic accuracy.
- Emerging red cell indices demonstrate greater diagnostic potential for differentiating anemia types.
- Newer indices may offer enhanced clinical utility compared to traditional measures.
Implications:
- Re-evaluation of standard red cell indices is necessary due to technical limitations.
- Adoption of newer indices in routine hematology can improve anemia diagnosis.
- Future hematology analyzers may feature advanced indices for more precise patient care.
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