Investigation of the Patient with Suspected Systemic Vasculitis
Needed urgently in all patients Sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine 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 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 |