title: Deciphering polycythemia.
abstract: Most causes of an elevated hematocrit can be determined with a simple workup that includes a complete blood count and chest x-ray. However, measurement of red blood cell mass and plasma volume is required to differentiate primary, secondary, and combined polycythemia. Phlebotomy is customary for primary disease and some secondary cases in which the underlying cause cannot be removed.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Syracuse, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Landaw
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018962:Phlebotomy; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010976:Platelet Count; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin