Where H= the height of blood column (in mm); h = the height of RBC column (in
mm).
Methods for determination are divided into:
Macrometric method (Wintrobe) or macrohaematocrit
(low speed centrifugation takes place in tubes with a diameter of
3 mm)
Guest or microhaematocrit or micrometric method
(centrifugation takes place in capillaries).
Automated method - the PCV is calculated by an
automated analyzer and it is not directly measured.
Figure no. Determination of haematocrit by
micrometric method