section name header

Table 99.5

Investigation of the Patient with Suspected Systemic Vasculitis

Needed urgently in all patients

Sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine

Blood glucose

Arterial blood gases and pH

Full blood count and film

Coagulation screen if the patient has purpura or jaundice, or the blood film shows haemolysis or a low platelet count

C-reactive protein

Blood culture (×2)

Urine stick test for glucose, blood and protein

Urine microscopy and culture

ECG

Chest X-ray

For later analysis

Full biochemical profile

Serum and urine protein electrophoresis

Serum complement and other immunological tests (antinuclear antibodies, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies)

Echocardiography if clinical cardiac abnormality, major ECG abnormality or suspected endocarditis (Chapter 52)

Serology for HIV, hepatitis B and C